On Wednesday, the Lincoln Police Department reported two separate instances of checks being stolen from mailboxes and altered in an attempt to cash them without authorization.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – This morning, the Lincoln Police Department reported two separate instances of checks being stolen from mailboxes and altered in an attempt to cash them without authorization.
On Tuesday afternoon, a 29-year-old woman was found in the drive-thru of the Liberty First Credit Union on N 46th St trying to cash one of several checks that she was accused of stealing from residential mailbox earlier that morning. She was cited and released for misdemeanor theft by deception and misdemeanor 2nd degree forgery.
Also on Tuesday afternoon, Lincoln Police say that 39-year-old Jackson Steinman was caught at the HyVee on 84th street trying to pass a $6,700 check from a business in Walton using a stolen driver’s license. Steinman was arrested for felony attempted 2nd degree forgery and felony criminal impersonation.
LPD acknowledges they have not seen a ton of cases like this, but says these instances are a good opportunity to encourage the public to be vigilant when putting checks in the mail.
“Oftentimes, when the flag is raised on the mailbox to alert the mail carrier, it also alerts thieves,” LPD Ofc. Erin Spilker said.
It’s not just Lincoln residents who may be susceptible to having checks stolen from their mailboxes.
LPD advises that businesses and churches receiving payments or donations by mail to consider how that mail is being delivered to their business, or even to consider an after-hours delivery.
The bottom line, when sending or receiving money by mail, it’s always best to air on the side of caution.
“When choosing to deliver checks or pay bills by mail, consider leaving mail in a secured USPS mailbox rather than to be picked up at your residence,” Spilker said. “Business owners should also consider a secure deposit box for bill pay and mail delivery.”
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