Mail Stolen, Check Fraud Reported In Darien: Police

DARIEN, CT — Darien police have recently received reports of Darien residents' outgoing mail being stolen and checks from said mail altered and cashed.

In a news release, Police Sgt. Dan Skoumbros said the original checks had been altered to much larger amounts of money and withdrawn out of the victims' bank accounts.

Police recommend residents that have to pay a bill or send someone a check to preferably drop it off directly inside the post office or pay the bill online if possible.

Residents who need to mail a check are encouraged to regularly review their bank statements and make sure the check has been cashed in the correct amount and by the correct person or business, Skoumbros said.

Police also recommend residents review their bank accounts if they have mailed a check within the past several weeks, Skoumbros said.

Other tips provided by police include:

• Use the blue U.S.P.S. boxes for outgoing letters, or go directly into U.S. Post Office.
• Remember to cancel mail delivery during vacations and out of town trips.
• Use online billing methods to take care of financial matters.

Darien detectives are working along with U.S. Postal Inspectors regarding these incidents, Skoumbros said.

The following tips were provided by U.S. Postal Inspectors to help customers protect their mail from thieves:

• Hand outgoing mail to your letter carrier, or mail it inside at the post office, or a secure receptacle at your place of business.
• Never send cash or coins in the mail. Use checks or money orders. Ask your bank for "secure" checks that are more difficult to alter.
• If you see any suspicious substance, such as glue or other sticky product on a mailbox or mail receptacle, please notify postal inspectors.

Customers can make reports by submitting an online complaint at www.uspis.gov or by phone at 877-876-2455.

"By analyzing information from the complaint, postal inspectors can determine if the problem is part of a larger mail theft problem in the customer's neighborhood, and their input may help Postal Inspectors locate and apprehend the thieves," U.S. Postal Inspectors said in a statement.

Any residents who see someone other than their mail carrier removing mail or recently had mail stolen is asked to contact the Darien Police Department at 203-662-5300.