Cedar Lake, IN – In an urgent advisory, the Cedar Lake Police Department warns of a rampant check fraud scheme plaguing the mail system.
Fraudulent actors are reportedly stealing checks sent via mail, altering them, or depositing them into bogus accounts. The department cautions against mailing checks, advocating for more secure online banking methods as a safeguard against such identity theft and fraud.
According to Deputy Chief Carl Brittingham of the Cedar Lake Police Department, banks offer limited assistance in these cases, often not covering the lost funds beyond their fraud catch window. They recommend setting up bank alerts for every transaction as an additional layer of security. The postal inspectors are engaged, highlighting the seriousness of this crime, even as it extends beyond local jurisdiction. Community members are urged to adapt to secure banking practices immediately.
