Problems with mail delivery/stolen mail? - Page 3

Roni18 · ‎08-22-2013

You can buy some types of pens at Walmart (or other places) that make it harder for someone to alter your checks. Some years ago on the news I saw where this happened near me. Someone was going around getting mail out of mailboxes that had the flags up and then using some sort of solution to alter the check and using them at local stores. I try to remember to use the pens with the special ink for checks now and also try to take my outgoing letters to the post office or a postal box.

ScrapHappy · ‎03-28-2010

@barb40 wrote:
1) Today...I had a package delivered from QVC by my USPS mail carrier...it was placed in my mailbox, and my actual mail was inserted in my newspaper holder directly underneath my mailbox...which has no door. I find this unacceptable. I feel the package should have been delivered to my front porch, and my mail actually placed in my mailbox. I have never had this happen before.

2) About 2 weeks ago, i discovered i had 2 pieces of outgoing mail stolen out of my mailbox: 2 smaill bills i had paid, that were clearly altered and cashed at the local grocery store. Have notified my bank and the grocery store. Do i need to report this to the USPS and police also?

Thanks for any comments or suggestions you may have!

Mail being stolen is problem in my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods. We're always being told not to put out any out going mail, and especially don't put up the red flag that there is mail in there. Police said that's an invitation for a thief. We're told to go to the post office. It's a pain, because the post office is kind of far away and at the moment the roads leading to the post office (one and only) is under major construction. Glad you reported it to police and USPS. I think there is a form you can fill out to have mail (like QVC deliveries) put on your doorstep.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@barb40. I'd report it to the police and a complaint to the national post office complaint line. The local postmaster may try to cover for his inept employee. Did your bank cover your altered check?

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

Who on earth leaves checks to be mailed in their mailbox to be picked up by their postal carrier?? No one does that anymore due to theft! I surely wouldn't blame the PO!! I blame the homeowner.

"Pure Michigan"

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@Roni18 wrote:
You can buy some types of pens at Walmart (or other places) that make it harder for someone to alter your checks. Some years ago on the news I saw where this happened near me. Someone was going around getting mail out of mailboxes that had the flags up and then using some sort of solution to alter the check and using them at local stores. I try to remember to use the pens with the special ink for checks now and also try to take my outgoing letters to the post office or a postal box.

Uniball Signo 207. I got rid of all the other pens. I'm sure there are other brands but these are the ones I use.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

I would complain. I think the mail person should have brought your package and mail to you and not put it in the newspaper box.

As far as the mail being stolen out of your mail box, I have started taking any bills to the post office, as that has happened in my neighborhood, but not to me. Its a pain, but in the day and age and this area where I live, I feel better about it. I don't want anything to be shut off, I like electricity, water and all that jazz.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Sounds like you need a locking mailbox . The postman puts the mail thru a slot, or the packages in a larger box with a door below the mailbox. This is the type of box we had in Pa. I never would leave outgoing mail - I'd mail it at the mailbox on my way in to work.

Where we live now we have what are called gang boxes. 8 mailboxes - each individually locked, with some large package boxes below that the mailman locks when he puts the package in - and leaves the key in our mail slot.I believe this is the way mail delivery is headed in the future. So much more efficient for the delivery person.We have some handicapped neighbors who can't get to their gang box but have another neighbor who has the key & gets their's for them.

lmt · ‎05-19-2010

I've never left outgoing mail in my mailbox for the mailman to take for me. I always take it right to the post office and mail it myself. It's too easy to have a piece of mail misplaced or lost.

Coming home this afternoon I saw the mail truck parked on my street. The back of the truck was wide open and there were probably two dozen packages just sitting there.I don't know if we have a sub because our regular mailman ALWAYS closes the door before he starts delivering the mail. I didn't see the mailman anywhere in sight. A little while later I heard the truck start up. I looked out and saw the mailman drive away with the back of the truck still wide open. Unbelieveable!!

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

I think especially rural mail boxes are big targets, because thieves think no one is watching.

We have had so much trouble with our mail over the years here.

We get other's mail, they get ours.

Carrier dropping packages in the driveway right in front of the garage door, in plain sight of passing cars, when we have a private and covered front porch, that passersby can't see much on, just 10 paces away from the driveway, yet they won't use it (unless we complain, then they use it till the next new carrier starts).

Door to mailbox left open after depositing the mail.

I miss the doors on the old homes in the area of town I grew up in that had the mail slots in them. Your mail was put in there, and landed inside on the entry way floor, safe and sound (unless you had a dog that went crazy and tore it up! LOL).

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@Mominohio wrote:
I think especially rural mail boxes are big targets, because thieves think no one is watching.

We have had so much trouble with our mail over the years here.

We get other's mail, they get ours.

Carrier dropping packages in the driveway right in front of the garage door, in plain sight of passing cars, when we have a private and covered front porch, that passersby can't see much on, just 10 paces away from the driveway, yet they won't use it (unless we complain, then they use it till the next new carrier starts).

Door to mailbox left open after depositing the mail.

I miss the doors on the old homes in the area of town I grew up in that had the mail slots in them. Your mail was put in there, and landed inside on the entry way floor, safe and sound (unless you had a dog that went crazy and tore it up! LOL).

That annoys the you know what out of me. Our regular carrier closes the lid, the ones that fill in for him do not.