A growing number of Coachella Valley residents are becoming victims of mail theft and check fraud, with dozens of reports tied to the drive-thru mailbox at the Hovley Lane post office in Palm Desert.
Fred Roggin opened Monday’s show by sharing two alarming examples: one IRS check for $23,045 made out to a stranger named Yorty Cuellar, and another for $13,886 to the Franchise Tax Board, made out to a man named Nasir King. Both were stolen and “washed”—a criminal process where checks are chemically altered and cashed under fake names.
Sergeant Ryan Kitchens of the Indio Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit joined the show to explain how the scam works. “Mail theft is one of the most common sources of these crimes,” Kitchens said. He noted that many community mailboxes and outdoor postal drops are vulnerable to break-ins. Even individual locked mailboxes can be compromised.
Kitchens advised residents to avoid using outdoor mailboxes and instead hand-deliver important checks inside the post office. He also recommended sending checks via certified mail, which requires a signature upon delivery.
For those writing checks, Kitchens suggested using black gel ink—rather than blue—because it’s more resistant to chemical “washing.” Typing the information on the check, when possible, also provides stronger protection.
If someone becomes a victim, Kitchens recommends reporting the fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, the Federal Trade Commission, and their bank’s fraud department.
NBC Palm Springs contributors Stephanie Green and Sue Abramowitz also shared personal experiences of mail theft and fraud. Both expressed frustration with the lack of response from the U.S. Postal Service and called for stronger safeguards and accountability.
This growing problem isn’t limited to Palm Desert. Similar reports have surfaced in La Quinta and other nearby cities. As mail security declines, residents are being urged to rethink how and where they send their payments.
And in lighter Valley news, Fred’s Good Neighbor segment returned with community requests—from birthday cake hunts to swim lessons and mobile home inspections—reminding viewers to stay connected and help each other out.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: Fred Roggin
May 5, 2025
