Stolen Checks

Image of Mailbox Fishing and How Checks Can Be Stolen

Fraudsters can steal checks and alter them to benefit themselves.  Two ways they get checks include:

  • Stealing them from a mailbox and using chemicals or software to alter the amount and payee.  They then deposit or cash the altered check in their name.
  • Stealing blank checks, make them payable to themselves, and forge the drawer's signature.

Victims may not discover the scam until an unexpected withdrawal occurs or a check does not arrive as expected.

Protecting Yourself

  • Move to other forms of payment, such as debit or credit cards.
  • Check your bank or credit union accounts regularly for unusual activity.
  • Use online bill payers to send payments securely to utilities, creditors, and other companies.  We offer this service for free on PAL Plus and our mobile app!
  • Do not mail checks by leaving them in your mailbox.  Drop them off at the post office.
  • Check your mail daily, especially if you’re expecting a check.  If you sign up for the USPS informed Delivery service, it will email you what mail is expected to arrive each day.

If You Become a Victim

  • Take the following actions right away:
  • Notify your bank or credit union for any check payments you did not expect or cannot find.
  • For stolen blank checks, contact your bank or credit union to put stop payments on all of them.
  • File a police report.
  • File a complaint with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Watch this video from ABC 7 News for more on checks getting stolen in the mail: