The United States Postal Service (USPS) is cautioning residents in New Jersey about the heightened dangers of mailing checks, due to a surge in check fraud incidents.
A new criminal technology, known as "check washing" is a common technique employed by fraudsters. It involves using chemicals to erase information on the check, such as the payee's name and the amount. Subsequently, criminals fill in new details, including the desired amount.
Criminals are reportedly employing a device known as an "arrow key" to illicitly access USPS collection boxes, essentially serving as a universal key for these mailboxes. Once inside, they sift through the mail, specifically targeting checks for theft.
Furthermore, criminals have found an even simpler method—raiding home mailboxes. The raised flags on these mailboxes act as a signal, indicating potential valuables inside.
The ramifications extend beyond monetary loss, as stolen checks can lead to identity theft. Criminals gaining access to bank account details can not only siphon funds but also compromise personal information.
To mitigate these risks, the USPS strongly advises individuals to exclusively mail checks at the post office, discouraging the use of blue USPS collection boxes or personal mailboxes. However, the most effective prevention method is to avoid using checks altogether.
Considering the prevalence of mobile banking, individuals are urged to explore this secure and convenient alternative to traditional check transactions. Mobile banking not only provides ease of use but also minimizes the risks associated with check fraud.
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Remember, these crimes are FEDERAL but with the court system in place NOTHING happens.So the thrives don't get prosecuted anyway.Its a lost cause when you can't trust even a FEDÈRAL employee.Got to find a way to send dummy mail so when òpèned it sprays a liquid or powder.I suggest sulfuric acid.Like they did in bank robberys some kind of ink
So true as you point out, these are federal crimes, and there are laws to prevent and punish this type of larceny,… but if the laws have no teeth so to speak, then there’s no point in having the laws which is a main ingredient and societal breakdown, which has already begun big time, not in New Jersey only but across the country in urban areas, especially sad for us and sad for America and politicians still get their haircuts for free and enrich themselves on our money while doing nothing at least very little most of them just my opinion .
This JUST happened to me, but it was a postal money order! I was able to put in a claim with the post office, but that didn't help with the creditor I was trying to pay that doesn't have an online payment portal. Ugh
I once mailed a letter from Hamburg. It never was received at its destination,but it was returned to the sender(me). It was a cheque with an accompanying letter. The condition of the envelope and its contents were mutilated and dirty which I strongly believe it was those working inside the facility. I made my complaint in person to no avail. Those who work at Hamburg post office lack character. Those events made me come to that conclusion.
I work for a postal distribution center in Oklahoma & the sad thing is SO MANY people as well as many companies doesn’t give thought to how they seal an envelope or package or what is in it. Oftentimes the corner of a letter or package improperly sealed is crushed or just plain destroyed by our machinery simply because it’s partially sealed. I’ve seen it happen so many times. Sometimes we can piece together the entire package or envelope but many times we can’t. It’s sad to see something stuck in a machine, ripped apart & fallen out of it’s box or broken because of improperly packaging and we have NO IDEA where it’s going.
If you received any part of ‘your’ letter/check is an indication we did everything possible to get it to you so YOU would be aware it did not make it to it’s destination.
Unfortunately there ARE thieves among us … the majority of us aren’t.
If it’s worth sending it’s worth sending with care from both sides! Have a great holiday.
Everytime the USPO raises stamp prices, it is really because storage prices for mail has gone up dramatically.
My birthday card was stolen and it was sent though the mail it had sixty-five dollar in it I know money should not be sent though the mail but my elderly friend 82 years of age has been sending it like that for year .Well it didn't make it this year 2023 time's have changed . Although you shouldn't send money in the mail it doesn't make it OK to steal. No more send money in the mail but for the person who stole it I hope God bless you according. 🙏
My birthday card was stolen and it was sent though the mail it had sixty-five dollar in it I know money should not be sent though the mail but my elderly friend 82 years of age has been sending it like that for year .Well it didn't make it this year 2023 time's have changed . Although you shouldn't send money in the mail it doesn't make it OK to steal. No more send money in the mail but for the person who stole it I hope God bless you according. 🙏
About 3 months ago in my area there was a church carnival a good percentage of the police department was at the carnival there were thieves that broke into mailboxes outside the post office still today they have not caught nobody yet to my knowledge
Just another ploy by the New world order coming because they can't control checks.
Completely agree 💯
I don't think its mail carriers, but just lazy individuals who prey on innocent people...instead of actually working for a living...but I have noticed some mail carriers don't wear uniforms wear i live, looks like regular people
It's really a shame that people can't be trusted these days!
catch these thieves and throw them in jail for 20 years with no parole.
Roast over hot fire
Use a pen that contains indelible black gel ink to write your checks. This type of ink cannot be washed away. Avoid regular blue ink or black ink pens.
Uniball rollerball gel ink pen on Amazon.
Doesn't really matter. Theives are just endorsing the back and depositing the check by either mobile or ATM. The depositing banks aren't checking endorsements so the check deposit goes through. By the time the intended payee realizes the check was stolen, it's usually too late.
Thanks for informing us. I don't live in New Jersey, today. My debit card has been compromised several times and each time I have had to have it replaced. Thus making my ability to use my funds almost impossible. I had to wait 7 to 10 business days each time, so I got behind with making some payments. I'm still sad about the occurrences.
My check in the mail was stolen from a mailbox that needs a key to open the mailbox.
I believe it was stolen by the mail man
The envelope was opened in the mail box
And it was empty
The envelope
It was coming from a lawyer office.
Mail carriers would not steal an individual piece of mail just for a check. And then leave an empty envelope. Something doesn't sound correct about this story.
It's ashame that the postal workers can't be trusted either. I once observed an onknown individual using a key to open a postal storage container on the streets. Those containers are dark green colored and used or were used to store bags of mail. I think the key might have been stolen some way.
I had the same thing happen to me. I started a claim after the mgr. @ the post office told me he saw the overnight, express mail a week earlier and that a USPS employee left the package with the concierge without getting a required, signature. The money orders magically appeared in the original express mail envelope but weren't any good after the claims dept cancelled them and sent a replacement. That was a nightmare!
Thieves have keys to open mail boxes