MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Police said thieves have recently started targeting mailboxes in Matthews.

Carl Callori said $1,500 in checks were swiped from his mailbox.

“It’s scary,” he said.

Callori said he usually takes his bills directly to the post office, but on a rainy day last month, he dropped them in his mailbox, raised the red flag and went on with his day.

“Three weeks later, my creditors started to call up and they're not receiving checks,” he said.

Mail was stolen from two other homes on the same block as Callori’s, police said.

Now, Matthews police are investigating at least half a dozen other cases on Independence Pointe Parkway, including Morningstar Properties and Dave Hayes’ consignment store.

Hayes’ incoming mail was ransacked, and a check for $1,400 was stolen.

“We knew who it was from [and] we called them immediately and stopped payment so the check was never cashed,” Hayes said.

U.S. Postal Inspectors said similar crimes are happening in Charlotte, where investigations are ongoing.

They said the best way to avoid being targeted is to take checks straight to the post office.

Callori needs no convincing. He said he is taking precaution with all of his mail.

“They can take anything that they want as long as your name is on it [and] your address is on it,” he said. “They can get it."

In Callori's case, police said the thief altered his checks and cashed them in Charleston, S.C.

Matthews police are working with postal inspectors and said they have some suspects, but haven’t arrested anyone yet.