Thieves are targeting mailboxes in Bucks County for checks. Here's how to protect yourself
Mailboxes have been a target for thieves in Bucks County recently, and police are urging residents to be vigilant with their outgoing mail.
Thefts have been reported in Solebury, Doylestown Township, Northampton, Lower Makefield and Warwick in recent weeks.
“It’s been an ongoing problem for quite some time now around the region," said Philadelphia Division Postal Inspector George Clark.
Why are thieves targeting mailboxes in Bucks County?
Solebury Detective Cpl. Jonathan Koretzky said thieves are driving through neighborhoods and looking for mailboxes with their flags up, indicating outgoing mail for the carrier to pick up.
Thieves will go through the mail and find ones that contain checks and will discard the ones that do not have checks. They will then take the checks and "wash" them, removing written information like the payee and the amount. They will then put someone else's information on the payable line, according to the detective.
Clark said some thieves have even hit the blue postal collection boxes seen on corners and outside businesses. Thieves are generally not looking for tax or Social Security information in the mail, just checks that can be altered.
“They’re looking for easy money," he said.
Some of these thefts can lead to federal charges or lengthy prison sentences. A Philadelphia man was charged in December with impersonating a USPS mail carrier and stealing mail. He faces a maximum sentence of 31 years in prison.
“There are a lot of different charges that could apply to these schemes," Clark said.
Postal inspectors are working alongside police in Bucks County to solve mail thefts.
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What should people do to prevent these thefts?
Both Clark and Koretzky encouraged anyone concerned about sending mail from their home mailboxes to instead take them directly to their local post office. Koretzky also said handing the letters directly to the mail carrier would be a good alternative.
Clark urged residents to keep an eye on their finances to make sure no one has taken their checks.
“If your check has been stolen you should report that immediately to your bank as well," he said.
Koretzky said people should keep an eye out for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. That would include someone walking through neighborhoods and opening mailboxes.
People may also sign up for the postal service's informed delivery, a free service that sends preview images of incoming mail to whoever signs up for it. It also lets people track the status of incoming and outbound packages.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Thieves are targeting Bucks County mail. Here's why and what to do
