Sticky situation - Reports of 'mail-fishing' on the rise in NYC

There has been a recent rise in mail theft, especially checks and credit cards being stolen right from mailboxes across the city. FOX 5 NY takes a look at the return of 'mailbox fishing,' and how you can keep yourself safe.
Subscribe to FOX 5 NY: kzbin.info?sub_co...
Watch FOX 5 NY Live: www.fox5ny.com/live
FOX 5 NY delivers breaking news, live events, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from New York City and across the nation.
Watch more FOX 5 NY on KZbin:
Black Entrepreneurs: • Playlist
STREET SOLDIERS with LISA EVERS: • Street Soldiers with L...
A.I. ALL IN: • Playlist
Finding Faith: • Finding Faith with Sha...
The Big Idea: • Playlist
Download the FOX 5 NY News app: www.fox5ny.com/apps
Download the FOX 5 NY Weather app: www.fox5ny.com/apps
Follow FOX 5 NY on Facebook: / fox5ny
Follow FOX 5 NY on Twitter: / fox5ny
Follow FOX 5 NY on Instagram: / fox5ny
Subscribe to the Good Day NY Morning Brief newsletter: www.fox5ny.com/email

[@raylegend808]

I’m 57 years old and I remember a time when I used to use those outside mailboxes. It’s been years since I used them, I go straight to the post office inside and mail my letters.

[@DebSherr]

It's time to redesign the mailboxes. There's just no way this is going to stop.

[@marymadeline9533]

I can’t believe they stole mail from my P.O. Box at a US postal office and they never got in touch with me on what was even stolen. I think it’s an inside job.

[@henryhorner3182]

The postal system uses a lot of DIVERSE workers. So go figure.

[@kingzts]

this has been an issue for the last 3 years…….how is this news now!?!?!

[@lendawgs4167]

Much longer than that. 7 years and better

[@vvveeva]

It has always been an issue now just like shoplifting they do it in broad daylight … no law / order that is News😞

[@raymondlin8728]

Maybe there are people who don't know about this till now and want to go out and try it. Just like now you can find how to break into a car and start it with a screwdriver back in the day

[@PAINTOOKOVERMYHEART]

@@lendawgs4167 exactly

[@amg9163]

The post office installed new mail slots into (nearly) all USPS boxes throughout NYC, that are really narrow (about 1/2" high, and can barely fit an envelope that has 10 pages in it). The new slot configuration replaced the pull down doors of the mailboxes, after they were repeatedly stolen from. Seems like the narrow mail slots aren't enough to deter the theft problem.

[@elchatitochado]

That’s why I mail all my mail inside the post office specially the one in Manhattan 34 street

[@romanhernandez5141]

How low people go

[@share201lllll]

All The Way Down To The Floor

[@burby_geek]

I guess paying online is too hard. Too many numbers to type in

[@letrice2892]

some older ppl dont like to use technology for paying bills I have tried to convert my mother but she says nope so she still write checks or actually pay in person smh

[@raymondlin8728]

Yes, ID, password, changing password every couple month, and if you have several accounts, mmf, brokerage accounts, etc, it's a nightmare

[@theantagonizer958]

I brought a rent bill to the post office in manhattan to a “post office” not a street mailbox but a post office and it was never delivered when I went back to complain they said oh we pick it up every night. There’s nothing missing from the post office. Complete bullshit.

[@coreturkoane5570]

I hate the postal service

[@damnjustassignmeone]

I won’t mail checks anymore. Not after a guy I know fell victim to this.

[@Nanobits]

There has been a huge increase in scams and phishing online as well, always make sure to check the senders address in your emails, if they come from random users or have company names with added characters beyond the company name trash them or report them as phishing. Make sure you change your passwords at least once a month, every two weeks is best. Use two factor authentication if possible as well. I been dealing with tons of email scams and virus redirecting emails for years now, but it is much worse now than ever.

[@richardg1426]

I only use the mail drop at the Post-Office !

[@graffmixer]

Anything money related or private information....Go to the post office!!!

[@weedchild0821]

It's easier to pick a mailbox then you would think

[@divineoracle7459]

It doesn't make a difference if you tell United States Postal Service they don't care. Half of these people are miserable in a job that they have it shows when you have to interact with them in office

[@henryhorner3182]

And the majority of lower level workers are members of the various DIVERSITY groups.

[@shaunlucia524]

Soo true.

[@JanRay2020]

I saw this crime up front as a young teen in the 80's during the Christmas season and since then hardly ever use a mailbox anymore except the ones in front of, beside or in post offices at least before the last pick up. Never overnight.

[@fixyourface9]

Mail boxes need better security

[@dman357]

I don't know why people still use the mail box to mail checks. Use your banks service bill payer if you want to pay bills or a company or anyone.

[@coreturkoane5570]

Yep, you're better off!

[@KD_SWAGGER]

It's always best to walk in the post office to drop off your mail in person. Also, paying bills over the phone or the actual place of the company is a viable option.

[@vvveeva]

It’s worse … it’s a horror we need law and order US postal Government … major laws / crime

[@brooklynchick]

Post office is better

[@bearwhite98]

they must still have the old mail boxes because ones i have seen recently all you can get is a letter down and it has teeth which make it hard to get letter out and no larger item u gotta bring to post office

[@bpo4736]

I would never use those outside mail boxes. I rather drop them off at the post office. It’s more of a headache if those mails don’t get to their destination.

[@wack8589]

I wanna know what bank teller deposited that check

[@up-uw4op]

I had an application for an apartment go missing this year. Someone probably thought it had rent money in it.

[@scottiron6444]

This happened to my wife and I in Knoxville, TN. got us for 3 grand. But the cops got them. But we'll never get the money back

[@BeardedDragonMan1997]

common sense never mail cash

[@scottiron6444]

@@BeardedDragonMan1997 it wasn't cash, it was money orders for our real estate company. They did the same thing as the video, just added a name and cashed them. But, criminals are stupid of course. They used thier own I.D. to cash them. It's big. Feds are on it F.B.I. IS ON IT. We normally never do business that way, but we were in transition for real estate in the area. It's not over.

[@scottiron6444]

@@BeardedDragonMan1997 sorry for assuming I'm a moron? Maybe I am...

[@BeardedDragonMan1997]

@@scottiron6444 what

[@livefreevinnie]

People still us post office to pay bills? Omg

[@Lovingoddess28]

This is why I haven’t received my I.r.s check from November smh I hate it here.

[@TheDAT573]

Checks, are so ice age, horse and buggy.

[@rubenmejia4881]

Wow that's interesting to read all of the mailboxes around my area had that sticky stuff and it's annoying trying to deposit mail also disturbing because we don't know what that substance is or if it's been in someone's mouth

[@rccurry7431]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm seems likely much safer to send All Mail certified with a Needed signature from the Receiver 👍🇺🇸

[@stache1954]

Eight dollars.

[@jacobking7474]

Why haven't they made mailbox one way drop off by now WTF why not just make all mailbox a little slit in the metal

[@mikejenkins9135]

Just like everything else in this world it's just a matter of time to them blue boxes will be removed guarantee it

[@stache1954]

Go to the post office.

[@agthaog1986]

these people need harsher and more " sticky" penalties if u ask me. you would think this could be seen clearly as a federal offense is it not?

[@cinnamonspice4389]

Thieves would do anything to make a quick buck.Let us catch them at the own game; cameras inside or outside the mail boxes.

[@jasonnisi1602]

Street mail boxes need to go the way of the dinosaur. Just like payphones.!

[@lifeisgood5226]

Or Pay online

[@royrice6656]

Let’s see if I got this right. The main thing I need is the double sided sticky tape. Is that all? I understand how to do it, just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Wish me success on my new career! 👍🤫

[@milagrosalicea4035]

I am no surprised about this matter that been going out for a long time!

[@2-old-Forthischet]

People still mail checks? The USPS will be a dinosaur in the not too distant future.

[@paidchinesespy9838]

U gotta make that paper somehow. The audacity of people expecting me to become a productive member of society by being a wagie

[@dididimimi1489]

Why don’t they FIX THE MAILBOXES???????

[@topgnetwork0187]

This has been going on for the LAST 4 5 YEARS in NYC you Clowns nobody in my neighborhood uses that no more smh

[@Elizabeth-gg5uv]

WHAT A JOKE.

[@Tony_01989]

omg I use post office only

[@marlymcfly2411]

This is ridiculous, like go get a job

[@moettaswanzon8346]

I never use outside mailboxes I always take it to the post office I have them new mailboxes in my building I don’t trust that …I rather be safe then sorry yes I love to walking so it don’t bother me to take a slow walk to the post office

[@pikasnipe1]

People still trust those boxes? Gremlins live in those boxes I've seen it!

[@fromtheheavenlyrealms8613]

Maybe make the insert of the mailboxes like the ATM machines where it suck your dollar into the machine. It's also that way on the dollar to quarters machine in the laundry mats. Smh, thieves need to put that kind of thought and energy into finding a job.

[@chapter1762]

They tampered ATM machine before with skimming device. I always tap instead of inserting. I use bank branch ATM only Used Venmo or PayPal to transfer ur money out of bank account smh

[@arturogarcia5996]

Fish line and mouse traps....

[@manonamission2000]

how did they win the elections?!

[@walterkestel8252]

This is why it’s safer just to go to the post office.

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

That's old

[@torrisimoneaux872]

Anything not to get a job.😡

[@pr0phet]

Go to the post office problem solved.

[@screenapple1660]

Looks like NYC doesn't care.....

[@vm9370]

will not be surprise typical suspect and next time mail box will have bars

[@renaissance18]

morons been playing too much nitropolis 3 slot machine lol

[@Dave....]

I already hate that the only way I can pay my rent is by check. And now I have to deal with broke bums doing stuff like this smh.

[@avonfettydale9166]

😂😂😂😂

[@chrisv.4071]

People in charge don't care about the crime in NYC and neither does tge ones who voted for adams and houchul !!!

[@LorenzoKing1]

Wow Nyc Is No More The Dream City .

[@devonforsure260]

Gonna shave to start waiting for these goofs with guns drawn

[@Potassium-Feldspar]

black at it again.

[@Underdog271]

⚪️’s

[@Potassium-Feldspar]

@@Underdog271 Where?

[@Potassium-Feldspar]

@@Underdog271 PS: If you're going to say "⚪'s" learn to at least provide proper reasoning than running away. You couldn't even answer my last question I reply to you on toll invaders. Stop acting tough you're not. 🤣

[@Underdog271]

@@Potassium-Feldspar your a clown little boy 👦

[@avonfettydale9166]

I hate snitch citizens trying to record somebody

[@ekop1778]

THIS HAPPENED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD BOX LUCKY I WANST A VICTIM

[@nscaledelights]

Well if there were mailboxes to use I would. I had a money order fished out of a mailbox never again I have my bank send out my checks. Oh by the way Western Union sucks.

[@youfa7619]

"A recent rise in mail theft?" There should be a recent rise in thieves being punched in the face. More about this on my channel. youfa episode 2. Have a nice day.

[@smoke04200]

who still uses mail XD