The Wellesley Police Department would like you to know we are investigating a spike in check fraud cases for residents. These are cases where checks are stolen from the US Mail, altered or forged, and then cashed. Many communities in Massachusetts are experiencing a similar type of crime.
You can prevent or minimize your chances of being a victim of this crime by taking some simple preventive measures when mailing a check:
- Ensure the mailbox you are using will have a collection on the same day as the day you mailed it. Avoid using a mailbox where your check will sit overnight or over a weekend.
- Mail your letter from inside a post office whenever possible. If you are using the mailbox outside the Post Office, make sure it will have a collection on that day.
- Avoid using your mailbox at home to mail a letter.
The Wellesley Police Department are continuing to work with other communities and the US Postal Service on investigating these thefts.