Ross police issue warning over 'check washing' tied to McKnight Road post office
Police in Ross are warning people against leaving checks in the mail boxes outside the McKnight Road post office.
In a social media post Wednesday, Ross police said they have taken several reports from residents who had personal checks they had written to various debtors cashed by other parties for larger amounts of money — a type of criminal activity commonly referred to as “check washing.”
The number of residents affected and the amounts of money involved were not disclosed. Ross police could not immediately be reached for comment.
The department said the cases they are investigating seem to tie back to the McKnight Road post office and, specifically, its outdoor drop boxes.
Ross police advised residents to use the inside drop boxes at the post office when mailing personal checks or items containing sensitive information.
Ross police said they are investigating the incidents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Those who suspect they are a victim of check washing are asked to call 911 to file a police report.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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