Over the past several months, members of the Kinston Police Department have noticed a significant increase in the number of checks stolen after being mailed to various businesses located in Kinston.

The method and timing of these thefts remain unclear, leaving businesses and residents vulnerable to financial fraud. As such, the Kinston Police Department urges citizens to exercise caution and take proactive measures to protect themselves against becoming victims of check theft.

Hand-delivering payments directly to intended recipients can help mitigate the risk of checks falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to monitor their financial accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately.

The Kinston Police Department is actively working to address this issue and is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community members. We urge all residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from financial fraud. If anyone has information about these incidents, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444, or through the Tip411 App that is available on both Apple and Android devices.  Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.