The first economic stimulus checks haven’t landed in mailboxes yet, and already criminals are plotting ways to steal them, Denton police say.

Financial Crimes Detective Brandon Hobon says scam artists and mail thieves see the Internal Revenue checks as another way to steal money from unsuspecting people. He has some suggestions for making sure the money goes to the person it was intended for.

The first checks are already going directly into the bank accounts of those who had their income tax refunds direct deposited. But soon, paper checks will be arriving in mailboxes.

“As a result of the increased number of checks anticipated to arrive in the mail in a relatively short period of time, the potential for mail fraud or theft is increased,” he said.

He recommends removing mail from mailboxes as soon as it has been delivered. Not everyone is at home during the day, and those who must leave their mail until they get home from work should consider buying a locking mailbox, he said.

“Watch your neighborhood for suspicious persons who appear to be following the mail carrier,” Hobon said.

Anyone who appears to be looking inside other people’s mailboxes should be reported to the police immediately. Be prepared to tell police the location of the incident, descriptions of suspects and the vehicles they are driving and why suspicions were aroused, he said.

Mail theft isn’t the only crime the checks have inspired, the financial crimes detective said.

“Currently, scammers are calling and e-mailing citizens posing as the IRS or Social Security Administration,” he said. “The callers tell the citizen that they need detailed bank account information or Social Security numbers to process their economic stimulus checks. Those citizens who fall for the scam and reveal this information are then subject to identity theft.”

Another scam involves a promise that someone can somehow speed up payment of the economic stimulus check. Callers require hefty fees for a promise for an “instant” check. No one has to pay any fee to receive this check, Hobon said.

According to information provided by Denton police, the Internal Revenue Service will never do the following things:

Call to ask for your Social Security number or bank account information.

E-mail you to ask for your Social Security or bank account information.

Send a letter that tells you to wire money outside the US for tax payment.

Come to your home to ask for tax payments.

DONNA FIELDER can be reached at 940-566-6885. Her e-mail address is dfielder@dentonrc.com.