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City of Gaithersburg Police Warn Citizens of Mail Thefts

By
Industry Observer with Retired

City of Gaithersburg Police Warn Citizens of Mail Thefts

 

Montgomery County Police are continuing to investigate a series of thefts involving U.S. Mail that have occurred throughout the county.  The thefts occurred after victims placed their outgoing mail in their mailboxes. In many cases the mail contained checks to pay bills. The suspects have been stealing the mail, removing the checks, then altering and cashing or attempting to cash the altered checks at area banks.  Police are recommending that citizens drop important outgoing mail at local post offices or in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. Another option to consider is not using the "flag" on your mailbox as an alert that there is mail waiting in your box.  Please report any suspicious situations, vehicles or person(s) to police by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line, 301-279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

Dolores and I never leave outgoing mail in our mailbox.  It is much safer to take time to put mail in a community mailbox or drop it by the local post office.  It is also a good idea to suspend mail delivery when you are going to be out of town.

Orchids, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3312

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments (17)

Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

How nice of you to make the public aware of this problem. The robbers will pay dearly when caught since tampering with the mail is a federal offense.

Jan 07, 2013 07:47 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Hi Roy,

Good suggestion to the local community by you regarding laeving mail in their mail box for pickup. Another key issue is ID theft by using the check and creating their own check and passing it off to loacl vendors. This happened to me last May.

Jan 07, 2013 08:10 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Roy, We pay most bills online or by draft. It is sad that our mail isn't safe any longer in our mailboxes.

Jan 07, 2013 09:16 AM
Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker
Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX
Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

I thinks that's sound advice for people across the nation.  We haven't put outgoing mail in our curbside box in years.  Just too insecure.

Jan 07, 2013 09:31 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
Hi Roy, nowadays it's not longer a good idea to leave outgoing mail in the mailbox. Sadly, times have changed and we all have to adjust to keep ourselves safe.
Jan 07, 2013 09:33 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is good to hear from you.  All of us need to be careful with our mail.

Have an outstanding week.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3373

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Jan 07, 2013 09:47 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Roy, all the banks in our area  will not accept any checks with alteration, including my own check issued by me.

Jan 07, 2013 12:00 PM
Alisa McKeel Willson
Appraisal Pros in Texas - Huntsville, TX
Certified Res. Appraiser

I just don't know what is wrong with people...it is sad that you can't even leave mail in your box for the postal carrier.

Thanks for an informative post...

Jan 07, 2013 09:02 PM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Happy New Year Roy,

I just do not understand why there are so may people too lazy to make their own way......shame on them

Jan 07, 2013 09:14 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign
Roy- like many here I pay online or with an automatic draft. The only outgoing mail that goes in my mailbox would greeting cards. Good alert for the community.
Jan 07, 2013 09:30 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Roy,

Happy New Year! Great public service announcement. It's a shame one can't leave their mail out in their own mailbox but unfortunately it's another way those can take advantage of others. In our communities built since 1995 we no longer get our own mail boxes..we have cluster boxes you can only open with your key.

Jan 07, 2013 09:30 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

This is a much needed reminder to be alert in your own neighborhood as well as not putting outgoing mail in your box.  Take it to post office.  Better yet set up auto-payments for recurring bills.  When traveling suspend mail delivery or have someone pick up your mail every day.

Jan 07, 2013 09:49 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Roy, Good reminder for the City of Gaithersburg. It's unfortunate that these type of incidents are happening...

Jan 07, 2013 10:02 PM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

People will do anything to get out of an honest days work!

Interesting pattern on the orchid.

Jan 07, 2013 11:49 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is always good to hear from you.  The advice of the Gaithersburg police is good for any location in the country.  Don't take chances with your mail.

Have an outstanding week.  We are enjoying a beautiful sunny day in Maryland.

Orchids, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3361

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Jan 08, 2013 12:34 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is sometimes a good practice to revisit old blogs and reblogs. We might even find some good ideas for current posts.

Mar 05, 2019 05:09 PM