From Wilson County Sheriff’s Office
With the holidays quickly approaching, thefts have begun to increase in number; specifically residential mailbox thefts.
Thieves are looking for anything of value and appear to be targeting outgoing mail looking for checks to wash and then cash at a later time. Check washing is the latest old-school crime to make an unexpected resurgence, partly due to digital anti-fraud technology. Blocked from committing fraud online, thieves are using old techniques.
Here are a few suggestions to safeguard yourself if you have to send checks through the mail:
- Hand the outgoing mail containing the check to your postal carrier.
- Hand deliver the outgoing mail containing the check to the post office inside, not in the blue drop boxes.
- If you are sending bill payments out, contact the company to see if there is an electronic option in lieu of check payment; or set the bill up on auto draft.
- If you are sending money to a family member, also consider alternate electronic methods.
