Don't Be Swindled By 'Red Flag Bandits': Harford Sheriff

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Criminals in Harford County are keeping an eye on residents' mailboxes, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement officials made a request this week to help citizens avoid becoming victims, and it involves the little red flag on the mailbox.

"We strongly encourage everyone to refrain from putting up those red flags," the Harford County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "What that flag does is alert criminals that something of value may be inside."

Instead of being a signal for the U.S. Postal Service, officials say the flag is seen by some criminals as an invitation.

"A common nickname for these criminals is the 'red flag bandits.' They go through neighborhoods looking for mailboxes with the red flag raised, and steal what is inside," the sheriff's office reported.

Due to "red flag bandits," Harford County law enforcement said mail theft cases have been rising. In many instances, the criminals removed checks from mailboxes, increased the amounts they were written out for and cashed them. In other cases, the bandits actually used the checks to create counterfeit checks with the routing and account numbers, officials reported.

Authorities say that the safest way to send mail with checks is to go into an actual post office and drop it off inside the building.

If that is not possible, officials encourage putting mail out as close to pickup time as possible and not using the red flag on the mailbox. Definitely don't leave mail in the mailbox overnight if it has a check inside, the sheriff's office advised.

"While we understand how inconvenient this is, criminals don’t care if they make your life difficult; they only care to make a quick buck, and following these steps are the easiest ways to minimize your chance of becoming a victim,"according to the sheriff's office. "Finally, if you see something, say something! If you see a car around a mailbox in your neighborhood that doesn’t look like it belongs, get as much information as you safely can (description, tag number), and call 911."