Security experts say identity theft and crimes involving stolen checks in the mail have increased dramatically.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Your personal information could be in the hands of thieves running an underground criminal operation, making millions of dollars each month.
As 10TV’s Andrew Kinsey uncovered, you could be a victim and have no idea until the damage is already done.
“I’m flabbergasted, it’s going to take me a minute to process this,” said Nolan Logan, a local victim of mail theft.
Andrew Kinsey caught up with Logan at his home last month and broke the news that he and his family were caught up in the mail theft scam.
His mother’s payment to Columbus Gas was dropped into a USPS collection bin outside the Bexley post office. At some point, the check was stolen and later put up for sale on the dark web.
Here’s how the scam works: Thieves will steal mail from either a mailbox outside someone’s home or a blue collection bin. Checks found inside the envelopes are “washed” — meaning the ink is erased — so the amount and recipient can be replaced. Those blank checks are then sold online.
Thank’s to 10TV’s visit, Logan was able to stop payment…
