Mailboxes Broken Into In Silver Spring, Checks Cashed: Police

SILVER SPRING, MD — A number of United States Postal Service mailboxes in Silver Spring were recently broken into, Montgomery County police confirmed Wednesday to Patch.

Authorities said they have received reports about checks that have been stolen, fraudulently altered, and cashed. They are warning residents against dropping off their mail, especially checks, at the following drop-off mailbox locations:

• East Indian Spring Drive/Evergreen Street
• All boxes located near Eastern Middle School (E. Franklin Avenue/University Boulevard)
• All boxes near the YMCA (Colesville Road)

"I believe there is a compromise in security for the outside drop-off mailboxes (the blue boxes where you drop off your mail that is located outside of a post office)," Det. Keven Argueta wrote in a statement. "I will make a post specifically about this crime to all of Silver Spring later this week or next but for now, I want to get the word out to NOT drop off your mail (especially checks) at the (affected drop-off mailboxes)."

He recommends that residents drop off their mail inside the post office, which is more secure.

Any concerns or reports can be sent to USPS Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455. More information is available here.