The Newtown Police Department is seeing an increase in "Check Washing" scams and check fraud complaints.  As a best practice, people are urged to avoid mailing checks.  If it is necessary to mail a check, the Postal Service is taking steps to make their traditional blue boxes more secure.  Newtown Police say the safest way though is to drop the check with the outgoing mail inside the local postal branch.  The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends depositing outgoing mail in blue collection boxes before the last pickup or at the local Post Office and to never leave mail in a home mailbox overnight.  If a resident will be out of town, it's recommended having mail held at the Post Office or picked up by a friend or neighbor.