Update: 15 mail thefts reported at Paso Robles Post Office
–Over the past month, at least 15 local residents have reported mail stolen from the drop box at Paso Robles Post Office at 800 6th Street in downtown Paso Robles.
The Paso Robles Police Department issued a warning Monday: Don’t use the drive-up mailboxes at the US Post Office in Paso Robles.
“Over the past month, we have taken 15 reports regarding stolen checks from the drive-up mailboxes at the Post Office,” police report. “The stolen checks have all been washed, altered, and deposited electronically into someone’s account, for amounts far greater than the original amount. So far, the total loss is $30,000. We are continuing to investigate every case and are working with the Post Office to fix the problem.”
In the meantime, do not use the drive-up mailboxes, police say. If you really must send a check use the mailboxes inside the building. Also, if you’re not comfortable with someone having your name, address, bank routing number, and account number, don’t send a check, but rather make payments online, police say.
Original report Oct. 5, 2020:
Mail theft reported at Paso Robles Post Office
–Local residents recently reported a number of mail thefts from the drop box at Paso Robles Post Office at 800 6th Street in downtown Paso Robles.
“It appears we’ve received approximately seven reports so far,” said Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis. “Our patrol team is following up on leads at this point. If we identify a suspect or make an arrest, we’ll let you know.”
Paso Robles resident Dale Harding recently posted to Nextdoor.com, “I was recently ripped off by someone that took my bill payment out of the Paso Robles Post Office drive-through mailbox. I did all the reporting, bank, post office and police.”
“Come to find out that several people were hit,” Harding said. “Thieves are washing the checks and filling them out in their name and cashing them. Post Office advised folks to drop mail off inside.” The indoor PO Box area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Police ask anyone who was a victim or has information to contact the police department.
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