ALBANY – City and federal law enforcement are investigating a rash of check thefts that left some city property owners facing late fees after their property tax payments were intercepted and stolen.
The city’s Common Council approved a measure Monday evening that allows Treasurer Darius Shahinfar to forgive late fees and interest for taxpayers affected by the thefts.
Shahinfar said Tuesday the city is aware of at least 16 taxpayers who fell victim to the thefts. Shahinfar said authorities believe the checks are being stolen from residents’ mailboxes and then acid-washed to change who the check is made out to.
Some taxpayers were alerted to the thefts starting in mid-January when their banks flagged the checks for possible fraudulent deposits. Others noticed after reviewing their bank statements that the checks had been cashed but the city had no record of the bill being paid. Shahinfar said some of those impacted are waiting on their banking institution to cover their losses.
City police spokesman Steve Smith confirmed the department is investigating a series of check thefts. Other city residents have had checks for other expenses, such as utility bills, stolen as well. In January, the department issued a notice warning residents about an increase in mail thefts and offered tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of the thefts.
The United States Postal Service’s law enforcement arm, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, is also investigating the thefts.
Shahinfar told the council earlier this month that the city typically sends out notices for unpaid tax bills in June. But after discovering the thefts it decided to send out notices at the end of March and then again in June. Shahinfar said he expects more property owners will discover they were victims when they receive those notices.
Some of the victims have been able to pay…
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