News Summary
Baltimore is experiencing a troubling increase in mail theft, significantly impacting small business owners like Joseph Nissel of Renue Systems. Nissel has reported numerous stolen checks since August, disrupting operations and frustrating clients. Despite efforts to mitigate the issue through communication with authorities and secure mail options, the ongoing crisis continues to strain local businesses. Lawmakers have initiated monitoring, but reports of mail theft remain high, raising concerns about USPS performance and security measures.
Baltimore is currently facing a rising crisis of mail theft, particularly affecting small business owners like Joseph Nissel, the owner of Renue Systems, a cleaning company that caters to the hospitality and commercial industries. Since August, Nissel has estimated that between 25 to 30 checks mailed to his business have been stolen, altered, and cashed, causing significant disruption to his operations and causing frustration among his clients.
The thefts have been relentless, with Nissel reporting that stolen checks occur weekly along with delays in check deliveries that can extend for weeks. As a result, many of his customers have been forced to cancel and reissue payments, creating a financial strain on Nissel’s small but otherwise successful cleaning business.
Despite the availability of online payment options, the majority of Nissel’s clients prefer using paper checks. This reliance on traditional payment methods has left Nissel vulnerable to the ongoing theft crisis. In response, he has taken several steps to mitigate the impact, including reporting the thefts to the appropriate authorities, installing a secure mailbox, and personally picking up payments whenever possible. On one occasion, a miscommunication regarding a check led to it being lost in the mail for three weeks, further highlighting the challenges he faces.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has been notified about the situation, with inquiries referred to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the USPS Office of the Inspector General. The investigation into these mail thefts is still underway, and customers have been encouraged to report incidents to the Office of the Inspector General hotline.
Lawmakers, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, have also taken notice of the issue, leading to the USPS implementing a 30-day monitoring period for Nissel’s mail. A spokesperson for the Postal Inspection Service confirmed that there is an investigation in progress and that ongoing audits regarding mail theft are being conducted. However, despite requests from lawmakers, there have been no scheduled audits specifically targeting Baltimore.
Additionally, reports indicate a concerning trend in mail theft and check alterations in the city, with numerous cases being reported at local post offices. Congressman Kweisi Mfume is advocating for an investigation into the USPS’s performance concerning Project Safe Delivery, citing the continued reports of mail theft in Baltimore.
The situation is further complicated by individual experiences like that of Stephanie Bagley, who reported that her holiday card, which contained a gift card, was returned opened and missing its contents. Bagley’s incident, along with many others that involve undelivered or tampered mail, has led to a growing dissatisfaction with USPS service.
Previous audits have revealed security lapses, including missing or inadequately secured “arrow keys” that allow postal workers access to multiple mailboxes, which have contributed to the ongoing theft problem. Alarmingly, there has been a significant increase in check fraud, with Suspicious Activity Reports linked to check fraud rising to 682,276 in 2024. This increase has prompted the FBI to issue warnings regarding rising check fraud that originates from mail theft strategies such as “check washing” and “cooking.”
To protect against potential mail and check fraud, the FBI advises individuals to avoid placing their mail in overnight storage, use permanent black ink when writing checks, and request hold mail service while away. Additionally, those who suspect their checks have been stolen or altered are urged to file reports with either local law enforcement or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to aid in combating this growing issue.
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Additional Resources
- WMAR2 News: Business is Booming, But Stolen Checks Are Pushing This Baltimore Company to the Brink
- CBS News: U.S. Postal Inspection Service Investigating Mail Thefts in Baltimore
- Moneywise: Unprecedented Wave of Mail Theft in Maryland
- Wikipedia: Mail Theft
- Google Search: Baltimore Mail Theft
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
