Plymouth, MA – The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a growing wave of mail theft targeting checks and other financial documents. According to the Sheriff’s Office, fraudsters are stealing legitimate checks from U.S. Postal Service mailboxes and facilities, then altering or counterfeiting them for profit.
The agency reports an increase in incidents where thieves gain access to mailed checks and personal data during delivery. Officials are urging residents to take extra precautions when sending or receiving mail.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, residents should pick up mail promptly after delivery and avoid leaving it in mailboxes overnight. For those traveling, the USPS “Hold Mail” service can secure deliveries until their return. The office also recommends using letter slots inside post offices rather than blue outdoor boxes, especially before the final daily collection.
To protect checks, deputies advise using pens with indelible black ink, avoiding blank spaces on checks, and never including personal identifiers like Social Security or driver’s license numbers. Officials also encourage residents to use mobile banking tools to verify transactions and consider e-checks or electronic payments as safer alternatives.
The Sheriff’s Office warns that criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods, including AI-assisted forgery and spoofing technology, to deceive victims.
Anyone who suspects check fraud should contact their bank immediately, file a report with local police, and notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or call 1-877-876-2455.
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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