Thieves Stealing Mail From Postal Service Boxes In Toms River: PD

TOMS RIVER, NJ — If you've been dropping off mail in the U.S. Postal Service collection boxes around the township, you might want to keep an eye on your bank account.

Toms River police and the Postal Service are investigating several cases of mail being stolen from the blue curbside boxes, including the ones at the Post Office on West Water Street.

It's called "mailbox fishing," and thieves grab mailed letters and root through them, looking for checks they can alter and fraudulently cash, said Jillian Messina of the Toms River Police Department.

If you have mailed checks or plan to mail check, police urge you to monitor your bank accounts to make sure the checks reach their destination and that they were not altered in some way. Police also are urging residents to consider using verified online bill payment services or money transfer options through banks, in light of the recent thefts, Messina said.

Local postal inspectors are working closely with the Toms River Police Department to investigate the thefts and identify the culprits.

If you believe your mail was stolen in one of these incidents, please report it immediately by submitting an online complaint at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or calling us at 877-876-2455.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service makes the additional recommendations to protect your outgoing mail:

• Deposit outgoing mail at your local Post Office or hand your mail to a uniformed letter carrier.
• When using a blue collection box, be sure to deposit your mail before the last pickup time of the day.
• Do your best not let your outgoing mail sit in a mailbox overnight.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity near Post Office locations or has information in connection with the investigation is encouraged to call Toms River Police at 732-349-0150.

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