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Check-Washing Mail Theft Doubles, Up 2,000% Since 2010

6/20/2026

29 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Check-washing mail theft in the U.S. doubled from 2021 to 2022 and is up 2,000% since 2010.
Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, says postal crime has replaced casual mail loss.
Thieves erase mailed checks with bleach or acetone, rewrite them, and rely on banks’ automated systems that clear altered checks.
A California couple lost $12,000 and a Long Island woman lost $16,000 to check-washing despite precautions.

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Story summary

Check-washing mail theft in the U.S. doubled from 2021 to 2022 and is up 2,000% since 2010.
Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, says postal crime has replaced casual mail loss.
Thieves erase mailed checks with bleach or acetone, rewrite them, and rely on banks’ automated systems that clear altered checks.
A California couple lost $12,000 and a Long Island woman lost $16,000 to check-washing despite precautions.