Mailing a tax check from Beverly Hills has suddenly become a high-stakes move. Police say thieves have been swiping checks meant for the Internal Revenue Service, changing the payee, and cashing the money long before taxpayers realize anything is wrong. Many victims, according to the department, only find out months later when the IRS reports that a payment never arrived. By then, once the altered check has cleared and the money is pulled from the account, police say getting those funds back is usually a lost cause, making online payments the safer bet this tax season.
What Beverly Hills police say
The Beverly Hills Police Department reports that scammers are specifically targeting IRS payments sent by mail, nabbing large checks, altering them, and then depositing the money into accounts they control. "Victims often do not discover the crime until several months later, when they receive notice from the IRS that their tax payment was never received," the department said. Police also warn that the accounts used by suspects are frequently closed soon after the cash is withdrawn, which makes tracking the money even harder. The warning was reported by NBC Los Angeles.
Pay the IRS electronically when you can
To cut down on the chance that a check gets intercepted, police are urging taxpayers to send IRS payments electronically instead of dropping a paper check in the mail. According to the IRS, taxpayers can pay directly from a bank account using IRS Direct Pay, use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or schedule payments in an online IRS account. The IRS also explains that if a paper check has to be mailed, certain private delivery services are designated to meet the "timely mailing as timely filing/paying" rule; details are listed in Publication 17.
If you must mail a check
When a physical check is unavoidable, officials recommend taking extra precautions. That can include using a P.O. box or a tracked delivery service and keeping proof of mailing. The U.S. Postal Service offers a Hold Mail option and other delivery tools that can help protect incoming mail while you are away, which can be useful if you are expecting important items in the weeks after sending a tax payment. Taxpayers are also urged to review bank statements regularly so unexpected withdrawals are caught quickly. For information on holding mail, visit USPS, and for the police advisory, see NBC Los Angeles.
What to do if your check is stolen
If you suspect a mailed IRS payment has been intercepted, contact your bank right away to report any unauthorized transactions and ask about stop-payment or fraud protections. You should also file a report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which accepts mail theft reports online or by phone at 1-877-876-2455, and then follow up with local law enforcement so there is a record for investigators and any bank disputes. For reporting resources, visit the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
With Tax Day nearing, the Beverly Hills warning serves as a blunt reminder: use electronic payments when you can, secure or track any mailed checks, and keep a close eye on your accounts after sending a tax payment so suspicious activity can be flagged as fast as possible.
