Napa County officials are sounding the alarm after discovering that several mailed property-tax checks were stolen, chemically washed and then cashed under fake names. With the second installment deadline fast approaching, the county is urging homeowners to switch to secure online payment methods or to quickly verify that any mailed payments have actually arrived.
How the checks were altered and cashed
According to county officials, the checks were intercepted while moving through the U.S. Postal Service, then “washed” so the original payee, Napa County, could be removed and replaced with a fraudulent name before being cashed. Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert Minahen is pushing taxpayers to rethink how they pay. “We urge taxpayers to consider using safer, faster, and more secure payment options to protect themselves from check fraud,” he said, as reported by SFGATE.
Payment options and fees
For anyone who has not yet paid, Napa County is strongly encouraging the use of the QR code on property tax bills or the county’s online payment portal. E-check (ACH) payments are free, while credit and debit card payments come with a 2.32% processing fee. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office is open for in-person payments from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the lead-up to the April 10 due date. Full details on fees, office hours and accepted payment methods are available from Napa County.
How to verify mailed payments and where to report theft
Homeowners who already dropped a check in the mail are being urged to confirm that it was received and applied. You can look up your account through the property-tax search portal linked via Napa County. If the payment does not show up, officials recommend contacting both your bank and the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office, and considering a report to federal postal inspectors.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service accepts online reports of suspected mail theft at U.S. Postal Inspection Service and is working with local law enforcement on the Napa cases.
Why officials worry
Federal authorities have flagged mail-theft-driven check fraud, including check-washing and altered checks, as a growing problem that easily crosses city and county lines. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is urging victims to submit complaints online, which is one reason local governments are nudging taxpayers toward digital payment options, per IC3…