Homewood Police Warn Of Mail Theft, Check Washing

HOMEWOOD, IL — Homewood police are warning residents to be vigilant and aware of fraud surrounding mailed checks, after "numerous" reports of check washing recently.

Police have fielded reports of checks intercepted from both the Homewood Post Office and dropbox outside, then altered for payee and/or amount, police said.

Anyone who suspects they might be a victim of mail theft or check fraud should file their report directly with the United States Postal Service online, police said, and should notify their bank immediately.

If a resident does not have a tracking number to enter when prompted, select “where is my mail” and answer the question “Is this inquiry about a mail piece destined for a U.S. address?”

Follow the steps to arrive at "theft of mail," then providing as many details as possible, such as:

• Where did you mail the check (post office address, blue USPS mailbox location, home address, etc)?
• When did you mail the check (date and time)?
• If it was at a post office, was it inside the post office or outside at a blue mailbox?
• Where was the check cashed? Attach a copy of the front and back of the check if available
• What was the name on the check originally and what was the name on it when it was cashed?
• What was the original amount on the check and what was it changed to?

Complete the Contact Information, Review and Confirmation tabs. The information is then routed to the appropriate agency for investigation.

Mail from inside the post office facility falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Inspector General.

Mail from a blue USPS post office box fall under the jurisdiction of US Postal Inspector.

If you have already filed a report, you do not need to re-submit your information on the USPS website. The Homewood Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit has already forwarded the information to the investigating agencies.

• Write checks sparingly
• Whenever possible or practical, deliver checks in person
• Use a gel ink pen instead of a ballpoint pen (not relevant if an image is being used instead of the original check).
• Transfer funds electronically