READINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Police and the United States postal inspectors are investigating mail thefts in Readington Township.
The Readington Township Police Department recently received multiple reports from businesses stating their accounts have been compromised by checks which have been forged or altered, police said.
The checks are usually stolen from either curbside residential mailboxes or business mailboxes. Once in possession of a check, the suspect(s) then attempt to cash or deposit the check using fictitious information by altering the amount, check number and/or the payee, police said.
In some cases, the checks are copied and recreated for use in additional transactions in the future. In many instances, the suspect(s) are successful with cashing the check; however, there have been banks that noticed discrepancies and declined the transaction, police said.
“During the holiday season, residents tend to place more outgoing mail in their mailboxes that is enticing to criminals,” police said.
Anyone that observes suspicious activity, should dial 9-1-1 immediately and if anyone has information on the thefts, should contact the Readington Township Detective Bureau at 908-534-4031.
