Mailing Checks: A Risky Move in the Digital Age

Sending checks through the mail might seem safe, but recent incidents highlight the risks involved.

The Incident

• A Perry Township resident sent a check for nearly $4,000 to an insurance company.
• The check was stolen, altered, and cashed by a thief.
• The thief removed the insurance company's name and replaced it with their own.
• The amount and the signer's name remained unchanged.
• The check was cashed before the victim realized what had happened.

The Response

• The victim's bank took immediate action:
• Froze the account and opened a new one.
• Started a fraud investigation.
• The victim reported the theft to:
• State police
• U.S. postal inspector
• Both agencies assigned cases to the incident.
• The postal inspector assured the victim that they take such incidents seriously.

The Aftermath

• The victim had to pay the insurance company again.
• This time, they used their bank's online bill pay system.
• Hopefully, the insurance company will credit the payment correctly.
• This incident serves as a reminder that sending checks through the mail can be risky.
• It's a good idea to consider other payment methods.

Submitting Obituaries to the Reading Eagle

Obituaries can be submitted in various ways:

• Email
• Fax
• Through funeral homes and cremation services

Requirements:

• The Reading Eagle requires verification of death:
• Provide the funeral home's phone number.
• Or a photo of the death certificate.
• Payments must be made with a credit card.
• The obituary cannot be published until full payment is received.