After Check Thefts, Warrington PD Shares Tips To Avoid Fraud

WARRINGTON, PA — The Warrington Township Police Department reported two possible thefts of checks from local mailboxes this week, and shared advice to help residents avoid check fraud in the future.

Police said checks may have been taken from both a home and a neighborhood drop box; the home in the Warrington Ridge Community, and the drop box in the Palomino Farms Community.

"Personal checks were 'washed' and written out to someone else and cashed," police said. This technique involves fraudulently altering the recipient of a check, and is illegal.

Police said the United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating, as this jurisdiction looks into all mail theft. Other Bucks County police departments have reported instances of check theft recently, too.

Warrington officers shared the following tips to avoid and look out for check washing:

• Drop your mail off at or inside a USPS office.
• Inquire about overdue checks.
• Report the theft to USPIS.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission who compile national data on mail theft.
• Place a fraud alert and security freeze (90 day hold) on your credit report and review your credit report.
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with.
• Notify your local police who can help you file a police report to dispute fraudulent transactions.