Sheriff’s office warns of rise in identity theft, bank fraud

POINTE COUPEE PARISH, La. (WAFB) - The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to protect themselves as washed checks are on the rise.

According to the sheriff’s office, there has been an increase in identity theft and bank fraud cases connected to washed checks.

For this scam, criminals reportedly steal outgoing mail and chemically erase and rewrite checks.

Deputies recommended the following tips:

Do not place outgoing mail in the blue USPS bins outside the post office. Thieves often target these boxes.

Drop important mail inside the post office or hand it directly to a postal clerk.

Monitor your bank accounts regularly for unusual activity.

Report missing mail or suspicious withdrawals immediately.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim can contact PCPS