We have noticed an increased security risk associated with the United States Postal Service's blue collection boxes located outside of post offices. Unfortunately, we have had multiple members fall victim to mail tampering and check washing after using these collection boxes.
What's Happening?
A member uses the collection drop box outside of their local post office to mail a check. At some point, a criminal has been able to access the contents of the box; they review the mail and look for envelopes that are likely to have checks inside (e.g. the envelope is addressed to an electric or cable company). The criminal opens the envelope, uses a check-washing technique to alter the check details, and steals funds from the member.
What is Checking-Washing?
Check-washing is a type of mail fraud where a criminal alters the payee name(s) and/or dollar amount to fraudulently deposit the check. Most often, the checks are washed with a series of chemicals to remove the ink. Additionally in some instances, criminals also use copiers or scanners to print fake copies of the check. According to the United States Postal Inspection Service, postal inspectors recover more than $1 billion in counterfeit checks and money orders every year.*
Where is this Happening?
So far we have primarily identified this security breach at Vineland based post offices. However, it's important to note that while we are seeing a local spike, this crime is not exclusive to Cumberland County. Members should be aware that this can happen anywhere, so they should always be mindful when sending checks in the mail.
How Can You Stay Safe?
If you are mailing a check for any reason, the safest option is to give the envelope directly to a postal employee at the service counter inside of your post office. There are more employees and security implementations inside the post office, so your envelope is immediately more secure.
It is also advisable to consider using our free and secure e-services to send money. For a recurring bill, consider signing up for our Bill Pay platform. To send money to an individual or institution, take advantage of our new account-to-account transfer service TransferNow®. To learn more about our e-services, click here.
Regardless of the situation, it is always in your best interest to monitor your account transactions and/or keep an accurate check register. The sooner you are able to identify suspicious or fraudulent activity, the sooner you can report and address the issue.
What if I Suspect I've Fallen Victim to Check-Washing?
If you ever suspect fraud, suspicious activity, or account compromise, report this to the credit union immediately. Member service representatives will help assess the situation, review your available options, and aid in securing your account(s).
*Scam Article. "Check Washing." United States Postal Investigation Service Website, 2023, www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/check-washing
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