Check Washers Hit Bridgeview Post Office, Alter Resident's Checks

PALOS HILLS, IL — A Palos Hills resident reported to police that checks she had mailed at the post office had been altered.

Palos Hills officers went to the 11100 block of Roberts Road on Jan. 4 to take a report of a deceptive practice. The resident told police that several checks she had mailed to pay utility bills in the boxes outside the Bridgeview Post Office had been altered and cashed.

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Bridgeview police were recently called to the Bridgeview USPS branch, 7401 W. 100th Place, for a report of stolen keys and mail. The theft is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Police.

Check fraud cases are on the rise, with checks being stolen out of USPS mailboxes outside local post offices.

Area residents who recently used the mailboxes in front of the Bridgeview or any post office and believe their mail to be stolen or altered, should immediately report the theft to their local police department. Police will initiate an investigation by the federal postal inspector.

Here are some more tips to safeguard checks sent through mail:

• Use a gel pen with ink resistant to washing, such as a Uni- Ball Signo, developed by identify thief turned identify theft expert Frank W. Abagnale Jr. whose life was chronicled in the blockbuster movie “Catch Me If You Can.”
• Get out of your car and mail checks from INSIDE the post office.
• Collect your mail from your personal mailbox right away.
• Talk to your bank about alternative payment methods.

Check washers targeted the Bridgeview USPS branch, 7401 W. 100th , taking checks from a Palos Hills resident’s utility bills from the mailbox outside the post office.