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NEW BERLIN - New Berlin police say a "red flag" has put them on the trail of identity thieves targeting the suburbs.

And when they say red flag, they mean the one on your mailbox.

Police say thieves are driving around neighborhoods, searching for flags on mailboxes in the up position. The assumption is that homeowners are mailing out bills with checks in the envelopes.

"Typically if they're sending a bill, if they're paying a bill through the mail, if they're paying their mortgage or paying a credit card off, they're sending that personal check," said New Berlin Police Officer Dan Hanlon. "So they're sending their personal information, they're routing number on that check."

At least two people in New Berlin have had their identity stolen this way, including one of Joanne Perleberg's neighbors.

Now she avoids mailing things out. "I've gone mostly to electronic bill pay which is a pretty safe way of going or taking it in to work where the mailman actually comes in and picks up the mail," Perleberg said.

"If it's practical to put the mail out right before the postal carrier comes to get it, if they're home. If that is not practical, we suggest they go to the post office to mail it," said Officer Hanlon.

If you have any information on these criminals you're asked to call New Berlin Police at 262-782-6640.