Since January 1, 2022, Upper Merion residents have experienced a series of mail thefts.
In most cases, the checks are “washed” and written out to someone else and negotiated. Washing means they were fraudulently altered by a crime technique called “check washing”.
More recently the front of the check has been left untouched and the check is “endorsed” on the back, and mobile deposited into a fraudulent/fictitious account
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has been notified and is investigating as mail theft is a Federal Crime and this falls under their jurisdiction.
If you see anything suspicious at or around USPS mailboxes, please contact UMPD at 610-265-3232, be prepared to provide a description of the subject and or vehicles that may be involved.
Here are some tips to follow to limit your exposure:
- Drop off any mail containing checks Inside a USPS Office.
- Inquire about overdue checks.
- Report the theft to the United States Postal Inspection Service (877) 876-2455.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which compiles national data on mail theft. (FTC.gov)
- Place a fraud alert/credit freeze on your consumer credit report through TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.
- Close any financial accounts that have been tampered with.
- File a report with your local police department to dispute fraudulent transactions.