USPS Mailbox Removed After String Of Thefts In Passaic Co. Town: Cops

NORTH HALEDON, NJ — Local officials and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a rash of mail thefts in North Haledon, and a USPS mail box has been removed "out of an abundance of caution."

Numerous residents have reported fraud and theft after they mailed personal or bank checks via the USPS, borough police said last week. Thefts have been reported from several USPS mailboxes, and officials are urging residents to be careful when mailing checks.

The Postal Inspection Service began their own probe into the reports. In the meantime, USPS authorities have removed the mailbox outside the North Haledon Fire Department at 568 High Mountain Road.

"We are aware complaints and/or thefts have been reported from other locations as well, and please be reassured, an investigation is ongoing," police said on Friday. "Please continue to exercise due caution with how you send your personal and private information."

Greg Kliemisch, who works in the Newark field office of USPIS's Philadelphia division, said the agency could not share more information at this time "due to the sensitivity of the investigation and its development."

Kliemisch said customers should report stolen mail to the Postal Inspection Service as soon as possible by submitting an online complaint at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455.

The Postal Inspection Service recommends that anyone sending mail through the USPS can hand the letter or payment to a postal worker, or deposit the mail inside the post office.

Police also suggest that residents use other ways to pay their bills, and monitor their accounts closely, until the matter is resolved.

North Haledon PD further shared ways to detect identity theft, which you can see in the post below or by clicking here.

Reports of stolen mail are not unique to North Haledon. Just last month, police in Hoboken arrested three people who were accused of taking a master key from a USPS worker and using it to steal checks. And in December, a teen from Garfield was arrested after he was found with stolen mail from several Wall businesses.

A former clerk at the Clifton Main Post Office also confessed to stealing more than $100,000 in sports memorabilia from packages meant for a local auction house in January, officials said.