Woodbridge Sees Rise In Mail Theft: Police

WOODBRIDGE, CT — Police are warning residents following a rash of mail theft in Woodbridge.

"Thieves are stealing business and personal checks from the mailboxes of local residents, as well as from standalone USPS mailboxes," police wrote in a statement. "The stolen checks are then fraudulently altered and cashed for large sums of money."

Police are working with the United States Postal Inspector’s Office to investigate these crimes.

Police gave the following advice to residents:

• Do not leave outgoing mail (with red flag raised), in your mailbox. This invites thieves to steal your mail.

• When mailing a check, place it inside of a USPS collection mailbox. This should be done very close to the pickup time that is listed on the collection mailbox.

• Mail your business and personal checks inside of a Post Office.

• When you receive mail, retrieve it as soon as possible.

• When writing a check, use ink. Fill out the sections of the check completely.

• Frequently monitor your banking activity to detect any fraudulent transactions. If any are detected, immediately report them to your financial institution.

• Report any suspicious activity, suspicious person or suspicious motor vehicle. Please contact the Woodbridge Police Department at (203) 387-2511.