Thefts From Residential Mailboxes Rising In Horsham Township

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —After reports of numerous mail thefts, the Horsham Township Police Department is advising residents to stop using the flags on their residential mailboxes.

Horsham Police said that several thefts from residential mailboxes happened on Thursday, prompting police to issue the advisory.

"Many of us use the flag feature of our mailbox to alert the USPS mail carrier that there is mail to be picked up," police said. "Unfortunately, this also alerts those who would steal your mail that there may be something worthwhile in your mailbox."

Police said that mail theft has been happening more recently throughout the township and in surrounding areas. Most of those thefts are coming from U.S. Postal boxes, but now residential mailboxes are being targeted.

"Due to these thefts, we recommend you stop using the flag on your mailbox and also stop putting checks in your mailbox," police said.

Police said thieves go through the mail and take checks.

The thieves then wash the check, change the amount and the payee, and then cash or deposit them. That means residents are out of money and still have to pay the original bill.

"We strongly advise you to consider using online or mobile banking for paying bills and avoid checks altogether," police said.

Police advise residents who must send a check to go to the post office and use a slot inside the building and not the blue USPS boxes, which have been a target of thieves.