Sheriff office investigating check forgeries

The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office has investigated multiple incidents recently of forged / altered checks.  In all of the incidents the victims reported mailing a check for payment of services or utilities and later being notified that the payment was delinquent.  When they contacted their financial institutions they were provided a copy of the cleared check which showed the check had been altered and made out to  subjects out of state.   Through our investigation we believe the checks are being stolen from the mailboxes of local residents and businesses.
 To help prevent this fraud consider using electronic payment when possible.  If this is not possible, and the business is local you may drop your payment off to them directly, or deposit into a USPS collection box to reduce the risk of theft.