Mail Theft On The Rise In Arlington: Police Report

ARLINGTON, MA — The police department reported a recent increase in mail theft in the town.

The thefts are reportedly primarily taking place from the USPS blue mailboxes for outgoing mail in the vicinity of the post offices on Court Street and Massachusetts Avenue. A majority of the thefts are being executed with the goal of “check washing,” where chemicals are used to wash ink off of checks so the name and dollar amount can be fraudulently replaced.

The department is advising community members not leave outgoing mail in home mailboxes or in public outgoing ones for the time being. It is also suggesting hand-delivering important documents directly to the post office. Residents can also lessen the chase of falling victim to check washing by using electronic payments as opposed to checks.