Crime Alert

Ramapo Police

It has been brought to my attention (and confirmed by the Ramapo Police Department) that there has been a recent case of someone stealing a mailed check from a Wesley Hills resident's mailbox.  The check was then "washed" so that the amount and payee were and then there was an attempt to deposit it into someone else's bank account.  Fortunately, the resident's bank caught the fraud in time.  The Ramapo Police are investigating.

Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from this type of mail fraud:

  • Instead of mailing items from your own mailbox, deposit mail in collection boxes as close to the indicated pickup time as possible — or bring it inside the post office for mailing.
  • If you choose to leave outgoing mail in your mailbox, don’t put up the flag.
  • Try not to leave incoming or outgoing mail sitting in your mailbox for an extended time, particularly overnight.
  • Keep an eye on your bank accounts for potential fraud, and report suspicious activity as soon as possible to both the bank and the police.
  • When making out a check, write out the amount — “One hundred and twenty dollars and ten cents,” for example — so the words fill out the line. This makes it more difficult for someone to alter it without washing off the ink. Also make sure the numeric amount fills the box on the far-right side of the check.

Best regards,

Marshall Katz, Mayor

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