Assholes broke into our mailboxes

[Nictuku]

Our entire neighborhood has mail box banks around the community. All of them were hit last Friday.

From us, they kindly left all the bills (we think), but they did get an order of new checks that my mother had recently ordered.

Saturday am, we called the bank and they froze the account.

Today, I have to go down in person to open a new account. (it was a joint account, which is a good thing, my mother is 78 and I don't want her going anywhere right now)

So now my big worry is this: In my own account (not associated with this), I am seeing my Fed Treasury payment pending for 4/15. This makes me worried about my mother's payment, if the account is frozen, what is going to happen?

I will be sure to ask the bank about this when I go down into town (I'm waiting for them to call me back because I have to have an appointment with them to do this). Its been an hour, it is a small bank. I'll call them back shortly.

I'm so angry at the thieves who did this, causing me to have to go into town when we have been so careful to stay home and not exposed to covid-19.

Last night the Sheriff came by to take a statement, apparently these thieves are trying to cash the checks. Later they called asking if this guy got permission from my mom to use her checks, so it sounds to me like they got the culprit.

Still worried about whether or not my mom will still be able to get her stimulus check.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Evil lives among us...

Hope all works out for you.

[shanti]

2. Can you get a locking mailbox?

That was happening in my neighborhood a few years ago. I have a Ring doorbell, and the petty crime rate seems to have gone up lately.

[33taw]

3. I would ask the bank what would happen. My guess is deposits will be accepted.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. Good for you that they caught the people doing this. To your question on the stimulus...

check coming in, I think that the bank will automatically reroute the check to your Mom's new account. I had this happen on one of my credit union accounts, and they routed the ongoing payments to the new account numbers. You of course should check w/ your banking institution. Good luck and take care!

[procon]

5. Take steps to safeguard against identity theft.

What personal info did they get? Names, addresses, phone numbers, business or work info, SS and Medicare info, credit or debit cards?

Do they have enough info to open new accounts or apply for a loan? Be sure to contact all the venues and alert them to the possible threat.

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. I wouldn't close her acct until her money is in.

Your bank should show pending cks. You can call each morning and have them tell you what is out there and you can approve th.e ones that are ok.

I had something like that happen and all my usual payments are automatic.

Or ask the bank what to do.

[mnhtnbb]

7. The Social Security website allows recipients to change the bank account number

to which funds are deposited. Once you open the new account, notify Social Security of the new number for direct deposit.


https://www.ssa.gov/

[Nictuku]

8. Thanks for all the advise

We have done just about everything suggested. The bank is a small bank and they have it 'frozen' but 'controlled' and are working with us as we transfer to a new account. They will be contacting my mother daily as things come in and need to be processed.

I hope they get these guys too!