Theft-resistant mailboxes not so theft resistant anymore; officials in some towns urge people to drop off their outgoing mail at post offices instead

Police in Newton and Wellesley report a significant increase in people having their checks stolen by mailbox fishers, even from the newer models designed to prevent such crimes, and are telling residents it's time to drop their mail off at their local post office, rather than using a box on the street, especially if they contain checks.

In Wellesley, police report the thieves have countered the design of the new box by figuring out how to steal keys for them from the postal service, making the theft of letters a snap.

In e-mail to residents this week, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said that residents who continue to use street boxes should at least use "security pens with specially formulated gel ink that embeds itself to the paper fibers to help prevent against check washing and document fraud," because what the thieves try to do with checks is carefully erase the payee and amount and swap in new names and numbers that could drain thousands from people's checking accounts.

Fuller also urged residents still paying bills by check to look into electronic payment - many now offer e-payment of utility and other recurring bills. But people just set in their ways should "use mail boxes inside United States Postal Service Offices," she wrote, adding that people who do fall prey to a fisher should report the incident to Newton Police. She added, however, "these crimes are exceptionally difficult to solve."

Boston is not immune. Maureen O'Hara reports:

It’s happened to three people I know in 02116 Back Bay