Mount Pleasant residents recently uncovered a mail theft scheme right in their backyards—stolen bills, letters, and checks dumped in the woods like trash. Mark Fitts spotted 15-20 pieces of opened personal mail while raking leaves in Dunes West, including what he suspects were checks targeted for fraud. Police collected it all.
Nearby, Bobby and Deb Krivohlavek lost a $1,500 check from their mailbox overnight. Thieves altered it to over $3,000, payable to someone else, and tried cashing it in Columbia. Their bank caught it, but they still had to close the account and redo payments—pure hassle.
Key Advice from Locals and Police
- Drop mail at the post office: No more flagging mailboxes for pickup, especially checks.
- Watch for suspicious activity: Report anyone lingering near boxes to Mount Pleasant PD.
- Why it matters: Mail theft is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. § 1708), often leading to check fraud or ID theft. In South Carolina, victims can face altered checks washed with chemicals to erase ink.
This hits close to home in your area—Dunes West and nearby neighborhoods. With your interest in local SC news and community safety, it’s a reminder to stay vigilant. Have you noticed anything odd around mailboxes lately, or want tips on protecting checks like using money orders?
