The Village of Babylon is warning residents that mail is being stolen from mailboxes outside post offices in Babylon and West Babylon.

The Postal Service says it is seeing a "volume" of theft and is receiving numerous calls from residents.

Babylon Mayor Mary Adams says at least three residents have told her Friday that envelopes have been taken and that checks inside are being "whitewashed."

There are ways to protect mail and bank information, starting with the type of pen used to sign checks.

The post office is recommending only mailing from inside the post office, especially on the weekends.

“If they can't go inside to mail, then hold off on mailing and to use a liquid pen not the ballpoint pens," said Adams.

Anyone who thinks they may be a victim of one of these scams is asked to file a report with the post office in West Babylon.