Your employees are leaving for Thanksgiving on Wednesday. Your mail carrier is still delivering checks on Friday. Thieves know your office is empty—and they're counting on it.
FBI Warning - January 2025:
- • Check fraud reports nearly DOUBLED from 2021 to 2023
- • Maywood NJ Post Office targeted since October 2024
- • 78% of businesses closed Nov 27-Dec 1 (4-5 days unmonitored)
- • Average check washing loss: $2,500-7,500 per check
- • Only 23% of losses recovered by banks
For businesses across Mercer County and Bucks County—from accounting firms in Princeton to property managers in Hamilton Township to medical practices in Doylestown—the Thanksgiving holiday creates a perfect storm: empty offices, continued mail delivery, and thieves who know exactly when you're closed.
This guide shows exactly how to protect your business mailbox before you leave Wednesday—with solutions you can implement in the next 48 hours.
The "Check Washing" Threat: Why Thanksgiving Week is Prime Time
What is Check Washing?
Check washing involves thieves stealing checks from mailboxes, using chemicals (often acetone-based) to erase the payee and amount, then rewriting the check for thousands of dollars. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued an official warning in January 2025 confirming this threat's "troubling resurgence" with advanced chemicals that fool even experienced banking staff.
Why Thanksgiving Week is High Risk:
- →Empty offices (Wed-Mon = 4-5 days unmonitored)
- →Friday mail delivery (checks arrive but no one collects them)
- →Industrial parks (Princeton, Hamilton, Robbinsville, Doylestown) - visible "closed" signs
- →Year-end payments (vendors, contractors paying invoices before holidays)
The Real Cost
Average Loss Per Check:
$2,500-$7,500
Altered check amounts
Bank Recovery Rate:
Only 23%
Of check fraud losses recovered
Case Study:
"In October 2024, a Princeton accounting firm lost $12,000 when thieves stole 3 client checks from their outdoor mailbox during a long weekend. The checks were washed and cashed before the firm discovered the theft on Monday. The bank refused to reimburse, claiming inadequate security measures."
7-Step Thanksgiving Mailbox Security Checklist
Install Video Surveillance on Your Mailbox (NOW - 48 Hours)
The single most effective deterrent. Video surveillance prevents 78% of mail theft attempts and provides crucial evidence if theft occurs.
Critical Camera Features:
Security Dynamics 48-Hour Installation:
Call (609) 394-8800 before 5 PM Tuesday, Nov 26 for same-day mailbox camera installation. We'll have you protected before you leave Wednesday.
ROI: ONE prevented check theft ($5,000 avg) pays for 10 years of monitoring
Hold All Mail Through USPS (Free - Takes 2 Minutes)
The most effective and completely FREE solution. No mail delivered = nothing to steal.
How to Hold Mail:
- 1.Visit USPS.com/holdmail (or call 1-800-ASK-USPS)
- 2.Enter business address
- 3.Select dates: Nov 27 - Dec 2, 2025
- 4.Pick up held mail at post office when you return
✅ Free service
No cost, instant setup
✅ Mail stays secure
At post office, not mailbox
✅ No accumulated mail
Doesn't signal empty office
✅ 100% effective
Nothing to steal = zero risk
Upgrade to Locking Mailbox (If You Don't Have One)
Physical security prevents hand access to mail. Commercial-grade locking mailboxes resist prying and tampering.
Wall-Mounted
$80-200
Individual locked box
Centralized System
$300-800
Multi-unit building solution
Parcel Locker
$400-1,200
USPS-approved packages
Arrange Daily Check-Ins
If holding mail isn't possible, have a trusted employee or property manager collect mail daily. Use smart locks with temporary access codes.
No accumulated mail visible
Scan checks immediately (mobile deposit)
Enable Bank Fraud Alerts
Set up check verification alerts for amounts >$500, mobile alerts for all transactions, and ask about Positive Pay.
Early detection (bank calls you first)
Stop payment before clearing
Post Visible Signage
"Video Surveillance in Use" and "Mail Held at Post Office" signs deter 60% of thieves before they attempt theft.
Psychological deterrent (thieves avoid)
Visible near mailbox + entrance
Secure Your Perimeter
Lock all entry points, arm security system, enable motion-activated lighting, and set up 24/7 remote monitoring.
Full business security integration
Test remote access before leaving Wed
You Have 48 Hours to Protect Your Mailbox
Don't wait until you return to an empty mailbox and missing checks. Same-day camera installation available before Wednesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a smart doorbell instead of a dedicated mailbox camera?
Yes, if your mailbox is within 15-20 feet of your door and you angle the doorbell correctly. However, if your mailbox is distant (lobby, parking lot, or street-side), you need a dedicated camera pointed directly at the mailbox. Smart doorbells also require strong WiFi signal - outdoor commercial mailboxes may be too far from routers. For best results, use a dedicated outdoor camera with night vision positioned 8-12 feet from mailbox at eye level.
How long does it take for thieves to wash a check?
10-15 minutes with modern chemicals, then immediate deposit via mobile app. Thieves can steal your check Friday morning, wash it by Friday afternoon, rewrite it for $5,000+, and deposit via mobile banking by Friday night—all before you return to work Monday. Banks may clear the fraudulent check within 24-48 hours. By the time you discover the theft on Monday, the money is already gone and recovery is nearly impossible. Only 23% of check fraud losses are ever recovered.
Does USPS Hold Mail service really work for businesses?
Yes, it's free, reliable, and the single most effective way to protect your mail during Thanksgiving week. USPS Hold Mail stores all mail at your local post office for up to 30 days. The service is 100% effective because NO mail is delivered to your business address - thieves find an empty mailbox and move on. The only downside is you must physically go to the post office to collect mail (bring business ID and the confirmation number USPS emails you). Visit USPS.com/holdmail or call 1-800-ASK-USPS by Wednesday AM latest.
Will my business insurance cover check washing losses?
Maybe - it depends on your policy's "Forgery or Alteration" coverage and whether you had "reasonable security measures" in place. Most commercial general liability policies do NOT cover check fraud. You need specific Commercial Crime Insurance with "Forgery or Alteration" coverage. Even with this coverage, insurers may deny claims if they determine you didn't implement "reasonable security" - like using outdoor unlocked mailboxes, failing to install cameras, or ignoring police warnings about check washing. Call your insurance agent NOW to verify coverage.
What's the fastest way to secure my mailbox before Wednesday?
Set up USPS Hold Mail (takes 2 minutes online, free), then install a camera.
Option 1 (Fastest - 24 hours):
Set up USPS Hold Mail + order Ring Video Doorbell from Amazon (next-day delivery $180)
Option 2 (Most Secure - 48 hours):
Call Security Dynamics (609) 394-8800 for same-day professional installation ($299 + first month FREE monitoring)
Option 3 (No-Tech - Immediate):
Set up USPS Hold Mail + post "Mail Held at Post Office" sign + arrange daily check-ins
Don't Leave Your Business Vulnerable This Thanksgiving
You have 48 hours to protect your mailbox before offices close Wednesday. One prevented check theft ($5,000 avg) pays for 10+ years of security.
40+ Years Experience
Protecting NJ & PA businesses
5,000+ Properties
Successfully protected
Same-Day Installation
Available before Wednesday
Security Dynamics 48-Hour Emergency Installation
$299 Installation (normally $450)
Monthly Monitoring: $25/month (first month FREE)
Visit our Hamilton Township office at 4573 S Broad St #100 or schedule an on-site consultation. Don't risk $5,000+ in check fraud losses to save $299 on security.