Mailing Checks: A Risky Move in the Digital Age

Sending checks through the mail might seem like a safe bet, but it's not always the case. A recent incident highlights the risks involved. A person from Perry Township 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 victim's bank took immediate action. They froze the account and opened a new one. They also started a fraud investigation. The victim reported the theft to the state police and the U. S. postal inspector. Both agencies assigned cases to the incident. The postal inspector assured the victim that they take such incidents seriously.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. Obituaries can be submitted to the Reading Eagle in various ways. They can be emailed, faxed, or submitted through funeral homes and cremation services. The Reading Eagle requires a way to verify the death. This can be done by providing the funeral home's phone number or a photo of the death certificate. Payments for obituaries must be made with a credit card. The obituary cannot be published until payment is received in full.