More Checks Stolen And Washed From Bridgeview Post Office

PALOS HILLS, IL — A tsunami of check washing has left three Palos Hills residents out thousands of dollars after they mailed checks using the outside mailboxes in front of the Bridgeview Post Office.

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.

Officers from the Palos Hills Police Department went to the 10300 block of 82nd Court, where residents reported recently mailing a check for $15,000 outside the Bridgeview Post Office. When the check didn’t post, the residents contacted their bank, and were informed that the check had been stolen, altered and deposited into an unknown account.

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

The same day, officers went to the 7400 block of 105th Street. Residents told police that they had mailed a check for $430. When the check didn’t post, they contacted their bank and learned the amount on the check had been changed to $14,300. An attempt had been made to deposit the check into an unknown account.

A few days later, on Jan. 14, another resident said they had mailed a check for $265. When they checked their bank account, they noticed they were overdrawn by $7,775.93. The resident learned the check had been altered and deposited in an unknown account.

Similar incidents of check washing also were reported in the fall, with checks stolen from the outside mailboxes at the Palos Park and Palos Heights post offices. Police said the mailboxes had been pried open.

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 with the federal postal inspector. Here are more tips to safeguard checks when sending them through the mail:

• Use a gel pen with ink resistant to washing, such as a Uni- Ball Signo.
• Get out of your car and mail checks from INSIDE the post office.
• Don’t leave checks in your personal mailbox for the mail carrier to collect.
• Collect your mail from your personal mailbox right away.
• Talk to your bank about alternative payment methods.