Greensboro, NC – The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to take precautions with outgoing mail after a surge in reports of stolen and altered checks across the county.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, multiple cases have been reported over the past month involving checks stolen from residential mailboxes, postal collection boxes, and even during sorting and delivery. Officials said thieves are “washing” and altering checks to commit fraud, leaving victims with significant financial losses.
Authorities advised residents to avoid mailing checks when possible. Instead, they recommend using secure online payment options as the safest method. For those who must mail a check, deputies strongly encourage walking it directly into the post office rather than leaving it in a mailbox with the flag raised, which signals outgoing mail to criminals.
The Sheriff’s Office also asked residents to remain alert for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. This includes vehicles driving slowly through communities or individuals tampering with mailboxes. Anyone noticing unusual behavior is urged to report it to law enforcement immediately.
“Raise the flag, raise the risk,” the department warned in a public statement, emphasizing that fraudsters are actively targeting mail left unattended.
Residents can contact 911 for emergencies or the non-emergency line at 336-373-2222 to report concerns.
The Sheriff’s Office is also encouraging community members to spread the word to neighbors about the growing threat, reminding the public that awareness is the first step in preventing mail-based fraud.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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