Latest Type of Mail Fraud Is Actually an Old-School Scam

Key Points:

• Mail theft and "check washing" scams are surging, with check fraud reports nearly doubling from 2021 to 2022 and mail theft increasing by about 2,000% since 2010, signaling a rise in organized postal crime.
• Thieves steal mailed checks and use household chemicals like bleach or acetone to erase payee and amount details, then rewrite and cash the checks, exploiting banks' automated processing systems.
• Victims, including taxpayers and bill-payers, face significant financial losses and difficulties in recovering funds, as illustrated by a California couple who lost around $12,000 due to a rewritten IRS check.
• Prevention tips include using gel ink, opting for electronic payments, and avoiding mailbox flags that signal outgoing mail, though even cautious individuals have fallen victim to these scams.
• The FBI and postal authorities are raising awareness and offering guidance, but the growing sophistication and volume of postal crimes pose ongoing challenges for consumers and financial institutions.