Officials Urge Public To Take Caution After Series Of Check Thefts
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are urging those who write checks to take extra care after a series of doctored check thefts in Yonkers and the Bronx.
As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, Anna and Joe Possavino, of Yonkers, said they were hit by con artists after a check they put in the mail was tampered with.
"They could stick something in like a fishing object and pull up whatever they catch like a fish," Joe Possavino said.
Anna wrote out a $93 check to a landscaper in late November and put it in a mailbox in Crestwood. However, when the check was cashed, it was cashed at the amount of $3,680. The check was also made out to Wendell G. Barrington, with a note saying it was for "settlement payments."
"It makes us feel really violated and it was a lot of money," Anna Possavino said.
After about six weeks, Joe and Anna did get reimbursed for the full $3,680 dollars from their bank and are spreading the word to keep others safe.
"If you're going to write a check nowadays in this area it's probably safer to bring it to the post office," Joe said.
The NYPD said a similar scam has been happening at mailboxes in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx.
According to police, the forgers used chemicals to "wash" the ink off the checks and then changed the names and dollar amounts.
Police have offered several tips to help protect yourself against potential check theft:
-If you do write checks use slots inside post offices to send your mail.
-Use a gel ink pen so the ink is absorbed in the paper
-Don't leave any blank spaces on the payee or dollar amount lines
-Don't deposit mail the blue boxes after last pickup, usually 4 p.m.
-Report Suspected Fraud to your bank and police immediately.
No arrests have been made in the Yonkers case.
