Is your mail really safe? Shocking rise in stolen checks as USPS insiders admit troubling issues

Is your mailbox as secure as it seems? For decades, Americans have relied on those familiar blue USPS boxes to safely carry everything from heartfelt cards to monthly bill payments. But a growing number of residents across the country say their trust may have been misplaced. Reports of stolen and “washed” checks are rising—and in some cases, postal employees themselves are being accused of taking part.

If you’re still dropping checks in the mail, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s really happening and how you can protect yourself.

A New Wave of Mail Theft​

Let’s start in Menlo Park, a picturesque city in California’s Bay Area. Residents there have reported a disturbing uptick in checks vanishing from USPS mailboxes. The twist? These aren’t just simple thefts. Criminals are “washing” the checks—using chemicals to erase the ink, then rewriting them to new payees and often for much larger amounts.

Take Eric Tashman, for example. He mailed a large check, only to get a call from his bank about a suspicious attempt to cash it in San Jose. Thankfully, the bank caught the fraud in time, but Eric’s story is far from unique. More and more people are finding their checks intercepted, altered, and cashed by strangers.

What Do the Authorities Say?​

When pressed, USPS officials have been cagey about whether thefts are truly on the rise. US Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet told local reporters, “Mail theft shows up in different places at different times.” In other words, it’s a game of whack-a-mole: one neighborhood might be hit hard for a while, then the problem shifts elsewhere.

But behind closed doors, even post office staff admit there are “problems.” Eric Tashman says the local postmaster acknowledged the issue, saying, “We’ve had problems.” Yet, there’s been little in the way of public warnings or customer alerts, leaving many residents feeling blindsided.

When the Call Is Coming from Inside the House​

As if outside thieves weren’t enough, some postal workers themselves have been caught red-handed. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two USPS employees were recently indicted for allegedly stealing over $1,300 worth of rebate checks from the mail. One, Darius Holmes, is accused of pocketing 10 Menards rebate checks totaling nearly $1,000. His colleague, Michael Bagley, faces charges for four checks worth $331.

And it doesn’t stop there. In another Milwaukee case, a 28-year-old man named Braxton Clarke pleaded guilty to a massive check-washing scheme, netting a staggering $287,000 in just six months by targeting USPS drop boxes.

Why Is This Happening Now?​

Mail theft isn’t new, but several factors have made it easier and more lucrative for criminals:

• Aging Infrastructure: Many blue collection boxes haven’t been updated in decades, making them vulnerable to break-ins.
• Check Usage: While digital payments are on the rise, millions of Americans—especially older adults—still rely on checks for everything from rent to gifts.
• Easy “Washing” Techniques: With simple household chemicals, thieves can erase ink and rewrite checks in minutes.
• Insider Access: Sadly, a few bad apples within USPS can exploit their positions to intercept valuable mail.

Also read: Are your holiday packages about to cost more? See how much USPS shipping prices are rising this season

What Is USPS Doing About It?​

The Postal Service is working to upgrade collection and drop boxes to make them more secure. But with over 140,000 blue boxes nationwide, it’s a massive undertaking. In the meantime, officials are urging customers to avoid leaving sensitive mail—especially checks—in outdoor boxes overnight.

How to Protect Yourself: Practical Tips for Safer Mailing​

If you still need to send checks or sensitive documents by mail, here’s how to stay one step ahead of the thieves:

1. Hand-Deliver Your Mail

Whenever possible, bring your mail inside the post office and use the indoor slots. If you must use a blue box, do so just before the last scheduled pickup of the day.

2. Avoid Overnight Drops

Never leave mail in a collection box overnight, on weekends, or before holidays. Thieves often strike when boxes are full and uncollected.

3. Use Gel Pens for Checks

Ordinary ballpoint ink is easy to wash off. Special gel pens (like Uni-ball 207) are much harder for criminals to erase.

4. Monitor Your Accounts

Check your bank statements regularly for any suspicious activity. If a check goes missing, notify your bank immediately.

5. Consider Digital Payments

Services like Zelle, Venmo, or your bank’s bill pay system can be safer alternatives for sending money.

6. Alert Your Recipients

If you’re sending a check, let the recipient know to expect it—and confirm when it arrives.

Also read: Former postal fraud investigator accused of stealing $330,000 from scam victims

What to Do If You’re a Victim​

If you suspect your mail has been stolen or a check has been altered:

• Contact your bank right away to stop payment and report the fraud.
• File a report with the USPS Inspection Service (uspis.gov/report).
• Notify local law enforcement, especially if you’ve suffered a financial loss.

Read next:

• Seniors are losing more to scams than ever—here’s a free program helping them fight back
• Former postal fraud investigator accused of stealing $330,000 from scam victims
• The new debit card scam that follows you home: Why fraudsters are now stealing from your porch

Key Takeaways

• Residents in Menlo Park, California, have reported an increase in thefts from USPS mailboxes, with checks being stolen and “washed,” meaning the details are altered for fraud.
• Two USPS workers in Milwaukee have been federally indicted for allegedly stealing over $1,300 in rebate checks from the mail.
• USPS officials acknowledge that mail theft is an ongoing issue that can spike in different areas, but they did not confirm a dramatic increase in Menlo Park specifically.
• Authorities advise the public not to leave sensitive mail in outdoor collection boxes, especially overnight, and to instead hand mail directly to postal workers or use secure slots inside post offices.

Have you or someone you know been affected by mail theft or check washing? Do you have tips for keeping your mail secure or questions about safer ways to send money?