WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Crooks call it “boxing.” The practice helps them steal anything inside a free-standing mail box.
“We were on vacation and mail built up in our mail box,” Kristin said. “When we got a letter with a Citibank check inside, all filled out, with my name in the upper left hand corner for $1,000, we knew something was up. We called the bank and they said as part of some marketing material, banks send out three pre-printed checks with account and routing numbers on them.
“It seems someone got the junk mail from our mail box, filled out the checks — cashing two for about two grand — the other one the crook lost it and someone mailed it to us thinking we had lost it.”
Little did the family know their banking information had been compromised.
The bank is promising to take care of the first two checks, but Kristin just wants people to know that junk mail contains all kinds of information that could wind up costing you money.
Boxers can wind up with government and benefit checks, along with gift cards and credit card applications.
The Better Business Bureau suggests having a neighbor pick up mail if you are out of town or heading to the post office to put a stop delivery on your mail for the time you are out of town. You can also schedule the “hold mail service” online.