Police Warn Of Check Thefts From Narberth Mailboxes

NARBERTH, PA — Police in Narberth are warning residents of people stealing checks from mailboxes.

People have been "fishing" for check in United States Postal Service mailboxes, then forging them, then cashing them for amounts typically higher than the initial amounts.

To do so, they use water bottles or other objects covered in glue or another sticky residue which are then tied to string, twine or rope and dropped into mailboxes in order to pull out mail.

This is usually done during nighttime hours, police said.

Police said residents can avoid being victims of these scams by mailing checks directly at the Narberth Post Office, 144 N. Narberth Ave., or any other Post Office. Additionally, checks can be handed directly to a USPS mail carrier.

Police urge residents not to mail letters and cards with checks in them at exterior mailboxes.

"The good news is that most banks, if not all, are aware of this and will, therefore, reimburse the victims when they incur financial loss if such forged and altered checks are erroneously cashed by unsuspecting bank tellers," Police Chief John Gallagher said. "Remember, report suspicious activity like this to police immediately by dialing 911."