LUDLOW — Ludlow Police Department officials warned the public Tuesday of a surge in mail theft incidents involving a scam known as “Check Washing,” which has affected local residents and is part of a broader pattern across multiple states.
According to authorities, scammers are stealing checks from the blue street-side United States Postal Service mailboxes.
They use chemicals to erase and modify the payee’s name and the amount on the check before employing a “runner” to cash the altered checks.
Many victims have reported their checks were cashed for significantly higher amounts than they initially wrote.
In response to this growing threat, the LPD is advising residents to adopt preventative measures.
Community members are recommended to use black gel ink when writing checks, as it is more resistant to the chemicals used in check washing.
Additionally, the police suggest bringing checks directly to the post office rather than leaving them in mailboxes.
Regular monitoring of bank accounts for any unauthorized transactions is also strongly encouraged.
The LPD is collaborating with the Postal Inspector in an effort to track down and apprehend the individuals behind these fraudulent activities.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to the authorities.
