BEAVERCREEK — Police took to social media Wednesday to warn of a growing trend: thieves stealing checks and money orders out of rent drop boxes at local apartment complexes.
Thieves are able to “wash” the paper payments to remove the apartment community’s name, which allows them to use the funds for other purposes, Beavercreek police said on its Facebook page.
We are seeing a dramatic increase in theft of checks and money orders from rent drop boxes in some of our apartment...
Posted by City of Beavercreek Police Department on Wednesday, July 25, 2018
The usual way thieves steal the payment usually involves some sort of wire with sticky substance placed at the end, police said.
In addition to Beavercreek, the neighboring city of Fairborn also has seen an increase in such crimes, Beavercreek police said.
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To keep payments safe, Beavercreek police suggest either delivering rent payments by hand during regular business hours or to set up electronic payments, if available.
Residents are urged to be vigilant and to report suspicious activity at payment drop boxes by calling 937-426-1225.
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