The Check Isn’t In the Mail: Protecting yourself from mail theft

In neighborhoods across the country, a troubling trend is rising: thieves targeting residential mailboxes in search of valuable items, particularly personal checks. What might seem like a minor inconvenience—missing mail—can quickly escalate into a financial nightmare as stolen checks are altered, forged, and cashed. This surge in check fraud, fueled by mail theft, is leaving victims to grapple with drained accounts, damaged credit, and a lengthy process to recover their losses.

A recent Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) report estimates $688 million in suspected check fraud due to mail theft. Even though check usage is declining, mail-related criminal activities aimed at check fraud are increasing. From February to August 2023, FinCEN documented over 15,400 reports of suspected check fraud linked to mail theft, accumulating to more than $688 million in losses.

In 44% of cases, fraudsters altered and deposited stolen checks. In 26% of cases, criminals used the stolen checks as templates to create counterfeit versions. In 20% of cases, they fraudulently signed and deposited an unaltered stolen check.

Unfortunately, sending and receiving paper checks through mail is still necessary. So, what actions can we take to protect ourselves when conducting financial business through the mail?

• Instead of placing your letter or package in your residential mailbox for collection, drop it off at the post office. Neighborhood mailboxes (the blue boxes) are also unsafe, as mail thieves have techniques to retrieve letters from them.
• If you must use your residential mailbox as a pickup point, only place mail in the box during daylight hours and wait until the usual carrier’s visit time. Never place mail in the box overnight, and don’t use the mailbox flag, as that only signals thieves that something is inside the box.
• Avoid packaging that clearly reveals the valuable nature of the contents. Use plain packaging and refrain from mentioning the contents on the outside. Consider using a security envelope with protective markings to conceal the contents, or wrap the check in a piece of scrap paper to ensure it cannot be read when held up to bright light.
• Use USPS Registered Mail when sending checks or other valuable documents. This is the most secure service offered by the United States Postal Service. It provides a chain of custody with signatures required at each transfer point, ensuring careful handling and tracking. Ask others to do the same when sending you a check or financial document.

To wrap up, consider enrolling in the Informed Delivery service from USPS. This complimentary service sends you a daily overview of your incoming mail and packages. The daily email features images of the letter envelopes and a list of bulk packages, allowing you to anticipate deliveries and stay alert for important financial documents in your mailbox.

You can quickly sign up for the Informed Delivery service by visiting the USPS enrollment page at https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm

Mail theft and check fraud are serious issues, but by taking proactive steps, we can reduce the risks and protect ourselves from falling victim to these crimes. From securing how we send and receive checks to utilizing services like USPS Informed Delivery, there are practical ways to stay one step ahead of mail thieves.

Don’t wait until you become a statistic—act now to safeguard your financial transactions. Together, we can combat this growing trend by staying informed, vigilant, and committed to protecting our personal information. Visit your local Mid Penn Bank financial center for additional information on protecting yourself from check fraud and other financial crimes.

Share: