In the past few months, the Local has published multiple articles and letters from readers about theft from mailboxes and post offices. I offer two suggestions that may help readers minimize their risk. 

First, ask your financial institution if they offer "positive pay."  According to Investopedia, "positive pay is an automated cash-management service used by financial institutions employed to deter check fraud. Banks use positive pay to match the checks a company issues with those it presents for payment. Any check considered suspect is sent back to the issuer for examination."  

In a nutshell, you provide your financial institution with a list of entities to whom you write checks. If you write a check to entities not on this list, the bank contacts you prior to paying out the amount and asks you to authorize payment. 

Second, buy pens that make it more difficult to "wash" a check.  We bought some at Staples and use them when we write checks.

Sue McPhedran

Mt. Airy