Fraud Friday: Mail Theft Is on the Rise in Southern California
- Michael Blevins
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
By Michael Blevins, CFE — Blevins Associates Consulting
When Fraud Comes From the Outside
We often talk about fraud as an “inside job,” but sometimes the threat comes from outside the business. In Southern California, a USPS worker was accused of stealing mail containing checks — part of a troubling increase in mail theft across the region.
Stolen checks are rarely cashed as-is. Instead, they are often altered for higher amounts or used to gain access to bank accounts. This can devastate both individuals and small businesses.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
If your business still mails paper checks, you’re at risk:
Outgoing checks can be intercepted, stolen, and altered.
Incoming payments may never reach your office or bank.
Delayed reconciliations make it harder to spot missing payments quickly.
In today’s environment, relying on the mail for critical payments exposes you to unnecessary fraud risk.
Red Flags to Watch For
Customers or vendors saying they mailed a check, but it never arrives.
Duplicate or altered check numbers showing up on your bank statements.
Unexplained payment delays or shortages in expected cash flow.
What You Can Do
Switch to secure electronic payments for vendors and customers.
Monitor your accounts daily for unusual or missing items.
Reconcile monthly to spot irregularities before they snowball.
Use lockboxes or secure P.O. boxes if you must receive checks by mail.
Watch Fraud Friday
We break down the USPS worker case — and what it means for small businesses — in this week’s Fraud Friday video:
Take Action Today
Fraud is expensive, but prevention doesn’t have to be.
✅ Download the free Fraud Prevention Checklist to identify simple fixes you can make today.
📍 If you’re in Southern California, we can be on-site to review your fraud risks without the added expense of air travel.
Note: All defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted or having entered a plea.
Comments