In the last five years, the number of USPS employees “assaulted and murdered” to steal arrow keys “has increased dramatically,” according to an affidavit from a U.S. In that case, the letter carrier said two men demanded he “give up the key.” This growing nationwide fraud often involves selling stolen checks to criminal organizations around the country on apps like Telegram and CashApp, depositing them into bank accounts opened with stolen identities, according to court records. At the time, a $150,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. Investigators found more than a dozen weapons - including 11 semi-automatic rifles - stolen personal and business checks, and an arrow key linked to the robbery of a letter carrier in Leander this month, according to federal court records obtained by KXAN. Last week, the USPIS busted a mail-theft ring in Austin. “However, at this time, no additional information related to this investigation is available for public release due to its ongoing status.” “Postal inspectors are currently investigating this case and will work closely with our local law enforcement partners and combine our resources to better investigate these crimes,” Torres said. Postal Inspection Service - the federal law enforcement arm of the USPS - said it is “aware of reports of mail theft” in this neighborhood. “We’ve asked what’s their plan to rectify this,” he said. He said he tried asking what the USPS is doing to stop this from happening but didn’t an answer. Gene suspects his mail was also stolen and said he is “very” concerned by the recent thefts. It just goes on and on,” said Gene, who also asked us not to use his last name. “Members of our community have had mail stolen, packages stolen, important legal documents, personal information, passports. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) Papers to passports stolen That's down from 19 billion checks in 1990, but it still gives criminals plenty of opportunity for fraud.A US Postal Inspection Service warning sticker next to an arrow key lock. It's true that check usage is declining, but Americans still wrote 3.4 billion checks in 2022. In another case, nearly 60 individuals last year were arrested in Southern California on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people. In one case, a man mailed a $42 check to pay a phone bill and was shocked when it was cashed for $7,000, paid out to someone he'd never heard of. Once the payment is blank, they can fill in new information, including the amount. That involves using chemicals that erase your writing on the check, such as the name of the recipient and the amount of the check. Thieves use a technique called "check washing" to scam you out of your money. "Our recommendations are provided as an extra precaution for those who feel more comfortable taking their mail to the Postal Office," the agency said. Postal Inspection Service told CBS MoneyWatch. However, the USPS itself hasn't issued any specific guidance on mailing checks, the U.S. The agency also recommends that people post mail inside their local post office or at their workplace alternatively, they can hand their mail directly to a mail carrier. "You can significantly reduce the chance of being victimized by simply removing your mail from your mailbox every day," the agency said in a statement. Postal Service said that people should avoid allowing either incoming or outgoing mail from sitting in their mailboxes for too long. The suspects allegedly used stolen "arrow keys," or a universal USPS key that opens mail collection boxes, to pilfer mail, including more than 900 stolen checks, according to a criminal complaint. For instance, a rash of thefts from blue collection boxes in Milwaukee led to the break up last month of a criminal ring. The rise in crime targeting postal carriers and mailboxes heightens the risk that mailed checks could be stolen, as has been documented in incidents across the nation. ![]() At the same time, fraudsters are targeting mailboxes, either stealing letters directly from residents' homes or from the blue USPS collection boxes, the postal service said. The USPS last month cautioned that it has seen an increase in attacks on letter carriers and mail fraud incidents, with 305 mail carriers robbed in the first half of fiscal year 2023, on pace to exceed the previous year's 412 robberies. Postal Service has some experts warning Americans against sending their checks through the mail. Postal Service sends warning to not send checks through the mail 02:55Ī surge in crimes targeting the U.S.
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