“Check washing” used to be a widespread crime.
It faded away over time with the increased popularity of debit cards. It’s back, and most of the victims are elderly because many of them still write checks.
Here’s how the scam works. the thieves steal mail & search for checks. When they find checks, the payee information is washed from the check so the scammer can fill in a new name and amount.
The US Postal Inspection Service reports mail carrier thefts were up last year. 33,000 compared to 24,000 the previous year. Some are so brazen as to steal mail carriers’ “skeleton keys.” The keys sell for thousands of dollars on the black market.
The postal service recommends bringing mail containing checks inside the pot office to mail them. It’s also recommended you monitor your account balances closely, and sign up for informed delivery. It sends you an email of what’s in your daily mail.
Source: AARP