An elderly San Francisco woman mailed checks to pay her bills; thieves took $14,000 from her

A San Francisco woman lost $14,000 after thieves intercepted checks she mailed to pay her bills. They tampered with the information and cashed the checks.

The incident highlights the growing problem of mail theft and check washing in the Bay Area. Authorities have noted a concerning rise in thefts from postal collection points and home mailboxes.

Recovering stolen funds can prove particularly difficult for seniors who depend on checks.