The Beverly Hills Police Department is cautioning residents and business owners about a financial scam involving IRS tax payment checks fraudulently altered after being stolen from the mail. 

The BHPD has identified multiple incidents targeting Beverly Hills residents and businesses, consistent with similar cases reported throughout the United States in which large IRS tax payments, often ranging from $100,000-$500,000, were mailed through the United States Postal Service but never reached the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS payment checks were intercepted from the mail, altered and deposited, police said. 

Many times, victims are expecting a large withdrawal for legitimate tax purposes and do not scrutinize bank statements when the transaction occurs. Some victims did not discover the crime until months later when they received notice from the IRS that their tax payment was never received. By that time, the altered check already cleared, the funds have been withdrawn in cash and the suspect account has been closed. Due to delays, bank surveillance footage and other investigative leads are often no longer available, making prosecution of the crimes unlikely. 

Police said it is vital the public understands that once funds are withdrawn, the loss is usually permanent. Law enforcement and financial institutions are typically unable to recover the stolen funds. 

Prevention is critical. The BHPD encourages residents and businesses to submit IRS tax payments electronically whenever possible by visiting irs.gov. Electronic payment is the most secure way to ensure tax payments are received by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

If a check must be mailed, residents should regularly review bank statements and examine the deposited check image in their banking portal to confirm it was processed by the intended recipient – the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Reviewing the cleared check image in a timely manner may be the only opportunity to detect suspicious activity before funds are withdrawn, police said. 

The BHPD urges residents and businesses to take precautions and report any suspected mail theft or check fraud. Police reports can be filed with BHPD at the station, 464. N. Rexford Drive, or by calling the non-emergency number at (310)550-4951 to request an officer to respond. For mail theft within the postal system, reports may also be submitted to the USPS Office of Inspector General by visiting hotlineform.uspsoig.gov.