Ottawa County Sheriff Says To Watch Out For The Mailbox Bandit

Just when people thought porch pirates were the new package thieves someone has gone old school and started stealing checks from mailboxes.

Get our free mobile app

Stealing From Mailboxes

Back in the day thieves used to rob banks because that is where the money was. Since checks were invented the money has moved to a much easier location for criminals to steal from you or businesses.

In a day when thieves are online trying to get your information to steal from you, some thieves have remained old school and have stuck to swiping checks from mailboxes and it's costing companies hundreds of thousands of dollars with it cost some companies up into the millions.

Why Do Thieves Target Mailboxes?

It's simple, most Michiganders are not expecting thieves to target their mailboxes and this goes the same for businesses.

The United States mail has become one of the richest veins for crooks to mine. Many criminals have made mail theft a full-time job because it is so easy and lucrative.

Some thieves even sell the checks to other thieves online who then cash them in other states.

Mailbox Bandits of Ottawa County

According to FOX 17, take a good look at the car above if you live in Ottawa County. It could be the car driven by a woman the Ottaway County Sheriff's department is looking for who is suspected of cashing one of the checks.

If you have seen this woman and have any information about her you are urged to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's department at 616-738-4000 or the silent observer at 887-887-4536.