FinCEN Alert on Nationwide Surge in Mail Theft-Related Check Fraud Schemes Targeting the U.S. Mail

In light of a nationwide surge in check fraud schemes targeting the U.S. Mail1 (hereinafter “mail theft-related check fraud”), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing this alert to financial institutions2 to be vigilant in identifying and reporting such activity. Mail theft-related check fraud generally pertains to the fraudulent negotiation of checks stolen from the U.S. Mail. Fraud, including check fraud, is the largest source of illicit proceeds in the United States and represents one of the most significant money laundering threats to the United States, as highlighted in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s most recent National Money Laundering Risk Assessment and National Strategy for Combatting Terrorist and other Illicit Financing.3 Fraud is also one of the anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) National Priorities.4 FinCEN is issuing this alert in close collaboration with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)5 to ensure that SARs filed by financial institutions appropriately identify and report suspected check fraud schemes that may be linked to mail theft in the United States. This alert provides an overview of a recent surge in mail theft-related check fraud, highlights select red flags to assist financial institutions in identifying and reporting suspicious activity, and reminds financial institutions of their reporting requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The information contained in this alert is derived from FinCEN’s analysis of BSA data, open-source reporting, and information provided by law enforcement partners.

1. “U.S. Mail” is a registered trademark of the United States Postal Service (USPS) and includes all mail distributed and
   delivered through and by the Postal Service. This includes First-Class Mail such as mailed letters, cards, or other correspondence, which may contain checks, money orders, personal identifiable information, and credit cards/debit cards.
2. See 31 U.S.C. § 5312(a)(2); 31 CFR § 1010.100(t).
3. See U.S. Department of the Treasury, “National Money Laundering Risk Assessment” (Feb. 2022), at pp. 6-7; U.S.
   Department of the Treasury, “National Strategy for Combatting Terrorist and Other Illicit Financing” (May 2022), at p. 27.
4. See FinCEN, “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism National Priorities” (June 30, 2021).
5. The USPIS is the law enforcement, crime prevention, and security arm of the USPS. Postal Inspectors are federal law
   enforcement agents who have broad authority to investigate violations of federal law that have a nexus to the U.S. Mail and USPS, including mail theft and associated financial crimes. USPIS is one of several federal agencies with authority to investigate the laundering of illicit proceeds. For more information, visit United States Postal Inspection Service (uspis.gov). See also USPIS, “Annual Report 2021” (July 12, 2022). FIN-2023-Alert003 February 27, 2023 FinCEN Alert on Nationwide Surge in Mail Theft-Related Check Fraud Schemes Targeting the U.S. Mail Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) Filing Request:
   FinCEN requests that financial institutions reference this alert in SAR field 2 (Filing Institution Note to FinCEN) and the narrative by including the key term “FIN-2023-MAILTHEFT” and marking the check box for check fraud (SAR Field 34(d)).