Skip to Main Content
Doing More Today
  • News
  • Community
    • Associates in Action
    • Community Engagement
    • Small Business
    • Economic Development
  • Insights & Innovation
    • Economic Commentary
    • Insights
    • Innovation
  • Financial Wellness
    • Financial Wellness
    • Fraud Prevention
  • See the Good
    • Culture
    • Good Company
    • Good Towns
    • Good Pets
    • Ecards
    • Recipes
    • Riding Forward
    • The Extra Mile
Subscribe Now
Regions Bank

Regions Bank: Doing More Today: Good stories. Better insights. More possibilities.

Share
Share on Facebook
Share on X
Share on LinkedIn
Share via Email
Subscribe
Mail Fraud Illustration
Category: Fraud Prevention

Mail Theft: 6 Tips to Stop Fraud

Using old-school checks is the latest way scammers try to part you from your money.

By Doug Segrest | May 2, 2023

Just a few years ago, experts predicted the extinction of old-fashioned checks. But they’ve never gone completely away.

Which means scammers are taking advantage.

According to a recent survey from the Association for Financial Professionals, checks continue to be the pay method most vulnerable to fraud.

There are a number of reasons, and foremost may be a surge in mail theft-related check-fraud schemes. The postal service reported more than 2,000 assaults on mail carriers, enabling fraudsters to steal mail from delivery trucks – or steal the master keys to USPS mail collection boxes. Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions Bank

Even though checks are used less in every-day transactions, the amount of fraud has exploded three-fold thanks to another old-fashioned source: the mail.

How is this happening?

“There are a number of reasons, and foremost may be a surge in mail theft-related check-fraud schemes,” said Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions Bank. “The postal service reported more than 2,000 assaults on mail carriers, enabling fraudsters to steal mail from delivery trucks – or steal the master keys to USPS mail collection boxes.”

More damaging, Taylor said, is the ability of scammers to “wash” checks by replacing the legitimate payee name and replaying it with a fraudulent one.

“That way, the checks can be altered and, ultimately, sold on the dark web,” Taylor added.

Tips to Prevent Mail Theft

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of mail theft fraud:

  1. Pick up your mail daily. Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight.
  2. Use the vacation hold option or ask a trusted friend to pick up your mail for you.
  3. Avoid placing mail in the blue USPS boxes after the last pickup of the day.
  4. Take your mail inside to your local US Post Office.
  5. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. This service emails images of mail scheduled to be delivered to you each day. To sign up go to https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm
  6. Convert payments to digital payment platforms.

 

“We believe that education is of the upmost importance when fighting the war against fraud,” Taylor said.

 

Victim of Mail Theft?

If you believe you are a victim of mail theft, report the incident to the Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 or https://www.uspis.gov/report. It’s also a good idea to report the mail theft to local law enforcement.

 

Related Fraud Prevention Articles from Doing More Today:

  • Beware Look-Alike Domain Scams
  • Bank Account Fraud: A New Look for an Old Scam
  • Fraud Prevention Reminders for Turbulent Times
  • Business Fraud: Trust Your Gut
  • 4 Tax Fraud Scams

The information presented is general in nature and should not be considered, legal, accounting or tax advice. Regions reminds its customers that they should be vigilant about fraud and security and that they are responsible for taking action to protect their computer systems. Fraud prevention requires a continuous review of your policies and practices, as the threat evolves daily. There is no guarantee that all fraudulent transactions will be prevented or that related financial losses will not occur. Visit regions.com/STOPFRAUD or speak with your Banker for further information on how you can help prevent fraud.
Share
Share on Facebook
Share on X
Share on LinkedIn
Share via Email
Subscribe

Trending Articles

  • 1.

    5 Smart Habits for a Safer Digital Life

  • 2.

    Character. Commitment. Results: American Banker Again Ranks Regions’ Reputation High Among Industry Peers

  • 3.

    ‘False Alarm, Real Scam’

  • 4.

    The Extra Mile: The Gift of Life

  • 5.

    4 Steps to Avoid Fake CAPTCHA Scams

Related Articles

Regions Bank Cybersecurity team associates.
Category: Fraud Prevention

5 Smart Habits for a Safer Digital Life

Regions associates at the volunteer events.
Category: Community Engagement

Regions Associates Lead by Example to Truly Make a Difference

Regions Extra SEC Stories
Category: Culture

Introducing Regions Extra: SEC Stories

Laptop on a desk with the gameplay screen of "Scam...
Category: Fraud Prevention

Play Scam City

Illustration includes all the disability icons.
Category: Culture

Celebrating Value and Talent

#BankNeverAsk Quiz graphic.
Category: Fraud Prevention

#BanksNeverAskThat Quiz

Michael Wiedmann.
Category: Community Engagement

Where Small Business Yields Big Opportunities

"It's a Wrap!" with the Banks Never ASk that logo...
Category: Fraud Prevention

#BanksNeverAskThat: It’s a Wrap

Regions.com | About Regions | Investor Relations | Privacy & Security | Website Terms of Use | Contact Regions | Careers at Regions
© 2025 Regions Bank Member FDIC |
All Rights Reserved | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | Online Privacy