Caution Concerning Mailing Personal Checks - Page 9

LuvSoCal · ‎07-18-2010

This happened to me 20 yrs ago. It was a traumatic experience for me because it involved 12 checks I had made out to pay my bills. They were stolen at night from the free standing mail box outside the post office. The next thing I know I'm receiving overdrawn notices from my bank. The culprits "washed" the checks and used them to make big purchases at Costco (they applied for the Executive membership). They bought high ticket items at one store and then returned them for refunds at other locations. They, also, shopped at Target, Honey Baked Hams and various other places. It was December and they really treated themselves. I got it straightened out and the money was replaced to my account. I wasn't the only victim and I believe the thieves were caught and convicted.

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

The USPS post office we use has redesigned the outside mailboxes so they have a handle you must use to open before you can put in your mail. It doesn't open very wide so envelopes must be dropped in one at a time. I know there is also a lot of theft from within the USPS...some employees steal mail and the altered checks may not always be from an outside mailbox.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@LuvSoCal wrote:
This happened to me 20 yrs ago. It was a traumatic experience for me because it involved 12 checks I had made out to pay my bills. They were stolen at night from the free standing mail box outside the post office. The next thing I know I'm receiving overdrawn notices from my bank. The culprits "washed" the checks and used them to make big purchases at Costco (they applied for the Executive membership). They bought high ticket items at one store and then returned them for refunds at other locations. They, also, shopped at Target, Honey Baked Hams and various other places. It was December and they really treated themselves. I got it straightened out and the money was replaced to my account. I wasn't the only victim and I believe the thieves were caught and convicted.

@LuvSoCal

Wow, what a terrible thing!

I know it was 20 years ago and so much has changed since then, but I'm surprised anyone accepts paper checks anymore!

Or thinks they are "safe".

JMO, of course.

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

I've had a checking account since 1978. I've never had any foul play happen with a check, be it mine or one meant for me.

I've had my credit card hacked online and at brick & mortar stores.

As long as no one loses a limb, and/or my bank (credit union) still offers me free checks and a checking account, you betcha I'm gonna use em!

teganslaw · ‎03-11-2010

I have checks but rarely use them. The only times I mailed checks was when I couldn't pay online because the website was down or I was unable to set up an online account due to some issues. The checks are there in case of online problems.

I have heard more about internet sites being compromised than about issues with mailed checks. I haven't had any problems, but paying bills online isn't completely safe. It's just more convenient. One takes chances no matter how they pay bills.

"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog."

Mark Twain

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

This happened to me over a year ago. Mailed a $150 check - it was washed and altered to $20,000.

The Postal Inspection Service rep blamed me for using a blue mailbox because "everone knows they are not safe." Well I didn't know that a year ago. When I asked why they were still in use if they were "unsafe," she told me she "didn't like my attitude."

In any case, the Postal Inspection Service couldn't have cared less that mail was being stolen from their blue boxes.

The police were likewise unconcerned. "This happens all the time." Too bad so sad. What do you want us to do? And I can see their point because even if they caught the thieves, they wouldn't likely be prosecuted anyway because - you know who cares about crime anymore? I mean as one woman said about her brother who was burglarizing houses - they have to have some way to get money to buy their stuff.

The bank did reimburse us - after four and a half months. I read recently that banks are experiencing so much of this that they may stop reimbursing. Wonderful.

I have alerts for checks/withdrawals over $500, but I get the alert AFTER the fact - so really, what good is that? The money is already gone.

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

@Trailrun23 wrote:
The USPS post office we use has redesigned the outside mailboxes so they have a handle you must use to open before you can put in your mail. It doesn't open very wide so envelopes must be dropped in one at a time. I know there is also a lot of theft from within the USPS...some employees steal mail and the altered checks may not always be from an outside mailbox.

Every once in a while there is a story in the news about a carrier who dumps cartons of mail in the woods for whatever reason. I think I've seen this at least twice from what I recall.

songbird · ‎03-21-2010

I always avoid paying anything by check through the mail. It has to be online via credit cards. I was surprised to learn that QVC accepts checks! Checks to friends and family has to be in person. If it must be by check, I mail it inside the post office.