SPENCER – The Spencer Police Department becomes the second in the local area to warn its residents about “mailbox fishing” in the last week.
As ThisWeekinWorcester.com previously reported, Holden Police issued a statement last week advising residents to use mailboxes inside the Post Office.
Mailbox Fishing describes when a thief uses a makeshift device to remove mail from mailboxes, searching for checks, money orders, gift cards or other items of value. When a culprit gets a check or money order by mailbox fishing, chemicals are often used to alter the information on the documents and then fraudulently cashed.
Thieves typically target stand-alone mailboxes. Police advise the use of mailboxes inside a post office facility to avoid becoming a victim.
Police urge residents who recently used a stand along mailbox to send a check to monitor their accounts for fraudulent activity.
Residents experiencing fraudulent activity should contact their local police department.
Image Courtesy of Spencer Police Department
