Police Warn Of Checks Stolen Out Of Princeton Postal Boxes

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton Police are warning residents to be careful when sending money or checks through the mail as close to two dozen reports of mail theft and check fraud have been reported over the past few months.

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

Most recently on Feb. 6 two checks were stolen out of a U.S. Postal Box on Palmer Square West, police said.

One of the checks for $2,789 was stolen, tampered with a marker, and deposited by an unknown person, police said.

"We are advising residents and businesses to post their outgoing mail directly at an authorized post office," police said.

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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