$40K In Checks Forged, Stolen From Princeton Mailboxes

PRINCETON, NJ — More than 20 checks were stolen from public Princeton mailboxes and then forged and cashed for more than $40,000 on Friday, Princeton Police said.

One person reported that several of their checks were stolen after they placed them in a mailbox in the Princeton Shopping Center in the 300 block of North Harrison Street.

One check was then changed and cashed for $2,450.75, police said.

Another person said that between Jan. 22 and Feb. 28, about 20 of their checks were stolen and forged after they were placed in a mailbox in the 200 block of Nassau Street.

Several checks were changed and cashed for $38,804.94, police said.

This is a reoccurring issue in Princeton as multiple people have reported their checks were either stolen or forged over the past few months. (See Related: Police Warn Of Checks Stolen Out Of Princeton Postal Boxes)

"The majority of these checks have been stolen from USPS mailboxes and are then 'washed' and scanned," police said.

Residents are being encouraged to send their mail directly at an authorized post office. Princeton Police offered the following tips to avoid "mailbox fishing":

• Consider transferring your money through other methods
• Drop mail containing checks directly at the Post Office or hand it directly to your mail carrier
• If you use a mail box, deposit the mail as close to scheduled pick-up time as possible
• When writing a check use a pen with pigmented ink that cannot be erased

To report mail theft or check fraud contact the Princeton Police at 609-921-2100.

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