USPS warns of rising mail theft and check-washing fraud

The U.S. Postal Service is warning the public about a surge in mail theft and ‘check-washing’ fraud, where thieves steal physical checks and alter the amounts and names. U.S. Chief Postal Inspector Brendan Donahue reported to Congress that theft from mail receptacles saw a significant increase starting in 2020 and continuing through 2023.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, residents have reported significant losses. One resident, Kyung Cha Moon, had a $118 check stolen and altered to over $4,000. Thieves also intercepted property tax payments for San Mateo and San Francisco counties, replacing the names with their own to deposit funds into credit union accounts.

Postal officials have noted that blue collection boxes are being targeted, and they urge citizens to hand-deliver sensitive payments inside post offices or utilize electronic payment methods instead of paper checks to mitigate risk.