The purpose of these slides is to bring awareness to people about new threats as it relates to mail, mailbox, and checks. This will ensure that the common person will be able to change their behaviors to counter crime wave in the US.

1. Mailbox Phishing – Fraud.
Crime Prevention Series
P o l i c e O f f i c e r F e l i c i a n o

2. CONTENTS
WHAT IS MAIL PHISHING?
WHAT IS CHECK WASHING?
COUNTERMEASURES
RISKS & IMPLICATIONS
You, Got Mail..?! Nah..

3. • Mail Phishing is the actual physical theft
from mail boxes using tools to extract mail
in bulk with the possibility of finding
(checks or money orders)
• Intention – Steal already written checks or
money orders that have a signature and
other official endorsements.
WHAT IS MAIL PHISHING?

4. • Check/MO Washing is the actual erasing
(washing) of the hand written check using
common household chemicals.
• Intention – Re-write the endorsement’s payee
and the amount for themselves.
WHAT IS CHECK WASHING?

5. • The sheer volume of mail in the US makes it
make it very hard to protect all the mail all the
time.
• There has been an increased of this type of
Crime in the recent months.
• Criminals are finding new and innovative ways
to make a quick buck at your expense,
especially during tax season.
• Identity Theft Risks – You PII is at risk (Name,
DOB, Address, Telephone Number, SSN,
Driver’s License, Banks Accounts, etc.)
RISKS & IMPLICATIONS?

6. • Use a mail box inside the post office for drop off (GO
to the window).
• Never drop off inside the mail box, mail overnight for
schedule pick up the next day, but wait the next
morning and drop it off, especially during Saturday
night or Sunday as mail will sit there until MONDAY.
• Personally Hand deliver the mail to the mailman.
• If you notice your mail go missing – immediately
contact the issuing agency/company and follow up
with your local post office for guidance.
• Don’t send cash in the mail.
PHISHING COUNTER MEASURES

7. • Purchase high security check (this makes
washing impossible (for now).
• Use a UNI-BALL 207 gel pen when writing
checks (makes it impossible to remove)
(for now) which will likely damage the
check and become noticeable for fraud
during inspection by the teller.
• Never use dye based pens (the mail
washing is very successful against it –
forgery is highly prone.
WASHING COUNTER MEASURES

8. DISCLAIMER
This briefing is for informational purposes only. The content shared here does not represent
views of the New York Police Department, the United States Armed Forces, nor the United
States Post Office, therefore readers (corporations or individuals) should take into account
that the slides have been collaborated with information from research, analysis, training
and other sources. If the reader desires help in mitigating this type of financial and
personal crime risk (attack), the corporation/individual should seek advice from their
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or local Police Department and local Post Office.
DON’T BECOME A VICTIM OF CRIMINALS – RAISE YOUR SHIELD
THANK YOU