Rep. Salazar Sends Letter to USPS Demanding Answers to Increased Check Washing Crimes

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) wrote a letter to the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Chief Postal Inspector, Gary Barksdale, demanding answers on the increase of check washing cases in Miami.

“At a time when every penny matters to the hardworking residents of my district, it is unacceptable that while check washing is on the rise in Miami, USPS does not seem to be taking these cases seriously,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “My constituents are desperate for answers and have received little to no response from the principle law enforcement branch of the USPS. That needs to change immediately.”

In her letter, Congresswoman Salazar requested that the USPS Inspection Service provide her and her staff with a full briefing to discuss the issue.

To read the full letter, click here.

BACKGROUND:

Check washing is a crime where a person steals checks from mailboxes and changes the payee names and dollar amounts before fraudulently depositing them. Often, criminals will use chemicals to remove the original ink. According to the USPS, Postal Inspectors recover more than $1 billion in counterfeit checks and money orders every year.