The Lower Moreland Police Department is warning residents of a recent surge in stolen checks from mail deposited in outdoor post office mailboxes.

“To safeguard your sensitive information and prevent financial loss, we urge you to take a simple yet crucial step: hand-deliver your mail inside the post office instead of using the outdoor mailboxes,” police said in a statement. “By doing so, you can significantly reduce the risk of your checks being stolen and used for fraudulent activities. This proactive measure can help protect your identity and financial security.”

The department offered the following definitions and tips:

What is check washing? Check washing is a type of fraud or theft that occurs when a personal or business check is intercepted or stolen before it reaches the intended payee. The check is treated with a chemical formula to remove the ink or “wash the check”. As a result, the check can be rewritten with a higher amount, addressed to a new payee and cashed or deposited. It may take several weeks for the victim to notice the theft occurred. 

One possible solution:

Some research has shown that gel pens are a good preventative for check washing, specifically the Uni-ball #207 gel pen (see below). According to Uni-Ball, this gel pen gets trapped in the paper when writing, making it more difficult to “wash” it off with chemicals.

While this is only a minor preventative tip, it may just work for you when you mail your next check. LMPD has no proof of this so we recommend conducting your own research before proceeding.

Here are some other preventative tips for check washing:

• Optimize Mail Deposit Times: meaning ensure your mail is deposited into the mailbox as close to pickup times as possible. Or hand your mail to post office staff, minimizing the window of opportunity for mail theft.
• Retrieve mail from your mailbox promptly! Don’t wait too long to retrieve it once it has been delivered. Sign up for informed delivery with the post office. This will send you emails, allowing you to see what mail you will be receiving ahead of time. If you plan on going away on vacation, have the post office hold your mail until your return.
• Coordinate with family, friends, or neighbors to collect your mail for you daily. Banking tips: Avoid having ordered checks delivered to you and instead pick them up at your bank. Regularly review bank statements.
• Consider online banking versus sending paper checks. Check credit report often.

If you suspect Mail Theft:

• Notify your bank
• Report the theft to United Postal Inspection Services
• Make a report with your local police department.

If you have been a victim of fraud, contact your local police department for help – 215-947-3132 or call 911.

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