I had a book of checks stolen out of my mail box, I know for sure they were stolen because it was caught on my cameras. I already called the bank to cancel those range of checks and filed a police report. Is there anything else I should be doing? Should I close the checking account and open another one?

Even if the thief doesn't use the checks, the routing and account numbers are still on them. Talk to your bank. Maybe they will give you a new account number?

They can print an infinite number of new checks, or use your account/routing number in other ways.

The account needs to be closed, today. Unfortunate but necessary.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
They can print an infinite number of new checks, or use your account/routing number in other ways.

The account needs to be closed, today. Unfortunate but necessary.

This is the correct answer.

They can easily "wash" those checks. As previously mentioned, close it.


Get a PO Box - it's well worth the $120 year if you drive past/near it daily/weekly. Or, at the very least, bring outgoing mail to the Post Office and deposit there.

Transfer your money to a new account TODAY! The routing numbers on the checks can still be used. Don’t wait. Go do it as soon as the bank opens. This should be your only mission for the day.

Good advice above. Hopefully, there's nothing on the checks other than your name and address.

You may also want to put credit freezes in place at the three major credit bureaus, as a precaution. If a criminal has your address, fraudulent loans may be another risk. (Even if the checks don't have your address printed on them, the mailer they were in would have it, and failing that, the criminals surely could guess your address from the location of the mailbox.)

Not sure what to advise re: preventing recurrence of mailbox theft. Maybe check with the Post Office for advice?

Talk to the branch manager at your bank. Go from there.

I would second the idea of a credit freeze, not just because of this either.
They are easy to do now and easy to unfreeze temporarily when needed. And did mention, free?

I have my new checks sent to my credit union rather than my home. Haven't had any issues so far.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Transfer your money to a new account TODAY! The routing numbers on the checks can still be used. Don’t wait. Go do it as soon as the bank opens. This should be your only mission for the day.

Totally agree to close your account. A few years back, my wife mailed some bills on a Saturday by dropping them off in an exterior post office drop box. The following Monday, our bank called me to verify on of those checks. Someone had stolen the mail from the drop box, washed the checks, and changed the 'pay to' and the amount. When they tried to cash them on Monday, the teller became suspicious and held the check and refused to cash it. We immediately had our account closed and opened a new account.

Thanks for the advice everyone. The account has been closed and I put a freeze on my credit. One hour on the phone to close and open a new account and freezing my credit was super easy done online.

Yes, close that account ASAP. Those routing and checking account numbers can be used to create fake checks.

Like, you need to do this at the opening of business tomorrow.

Let the bank know what happened, and the date they were stolen. They will probably request a police report, which is in some instances silly, but probably not this one since you have video.

One thing that I have done for many years, is to only have my first and middle initials, and of course my last name, printed on my checks. Makes it difficult for someone to try to forge a signature.

quote:

Originally posted by TomV:
One thing that I have done for many years, is to only have my first and middle initials, and of course my last name, printed on my checks. Makes it difficult for someone to try to forge a signature.

That check will be cashed long before anyone checks a signature. Or they could just sign the check with your initials and last name.

quote:

Originally posted by DEPUTYBILL:
I have my new checks sent to my credit union rather than my home. Haven't had any issues so far.

This. I use a local credit union and when I requested new checks a couple of months ago, they asked me if I wanted them shipped to my home, or if I wanted to pick them up at the branch.

Once they explained why they recommended picking up the new checks at a branch, it was a no brainer.

I got an email from the check printer that they were printed and being shipped. Then I got a call a few days later to come in and pick them up.

Easy peazy, no muss no fuss, highly recommended.
.

I know you said you filled a police report, but have you filed a report with the Postal Inspectors?

The police don't always cross file the investigation, but the Postal Inspectors sound be made aware.

What this episode helps to hilite...a check is prolly the least secure method of bill payment. Anyone in possession of the check has the account and routing number. That's all that's needed clean out your account.

quote:

Originally posted by clayflingythingy:

What this episode helps to hilite...a check is prolly the least secure method of bill payment. Anyone in possession of the check has the account and routing number. That's all that's needed clean out your account.

Yup. An alert teller in a SunTrust branch in Savannah called me to verify a "paycheck" for a bit over $1,700.00 for an "employee" I had never had. I only had one guy working for me at the time and he and I are both in the Orlando area.

SunTrust sent me a photocopy of the check. It had my account number and routing number, and a perfect replica of my signature. The check number was in the same series as the numbers I was currently using, but a few numbers higher than the last check I had issued. The printed check style was similar to, but not exactly the same as the printed checks that I was using at the time.

I asked the teller to delay the guy while they were "verifying," and call the po-po. The dude got free room and board for a while at the crossbar motel and no money left my account.

Contact the Postal Inspectors with the USPS.. Someone is looking at a federal law violation for removing those checks or any mail from any mailbox unless it is your mailbox and the mail is addressed to you. And the local police have no jurisdiction on these type of offences . Contact the bank and close the account and re-open a different account immedately. If the bank does not want to help you it is time to take your account down the road to another bank. ....................................................... drill sgt.