Postal Inspector Probes Check-Washing Tied To Bridgeview Post Office

PALOS HILLS, IL — Another round of washed checks were reported to Palos Hills police, bring the number of incidents to eight. Police said the checks were mailed in early January in the boxes outside the Bridgeview Post Office, where keys were reported stolen.

Police took a report Jan. 24 from a resident in the 8500 block of 103rd Street. The resident told police they had mailed a check for $38, According to the report, the bank contacted the resident to confirm if the resident had written a check for $9,800. When the resident said they had not, the bank official advised that the check was stolen. Since the bank caught the forgery, the resident is not out any money.

The next day, a resident in the 7800 block of 99th Place reported writing a check for $240.68. The resident contacted their bank after noticing that a check was posted for $7,500 to their account. The bank said the check must have been stolen, altered and deposited.

On Jan. 28, on the 10200 block of South 81st Court, a resident told police they sent in their check for $108.94 to pay a utility. When the utility was turned off, the resident contacted the provider. The utility never received the check. The resident contacted their bank, who said the check had been rewritten for $2,450.36 and drawn from their account. Police said the resident was allowed to view the check at the bank and confirmed that it had been altered.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed it is investigating the complaints from the Bridgeview Post Office. Residents who believe they have been defrauded are encouraged to report any incidents to their local police department as well as the Postal Inspection Service. A 24/7 toll-free number is also available by calling 877-876-2455.

Related:

Another Check Tied To Bridgeview Post Office Washed

More Checks Stolen And Washed From Bridgeview Post Office

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