Community Chat

[sidsmom]

"Outgoing mail slot"? At a grocery store? I don't believe I've ever saw a blue USPS bin @ a grocery store. And if there was a USPS bin, it would be locked to be opened only by the USPS, correct? If tampered, that would be a federal offense.

[Fona]

I remember seeing a documentary about the Post Office a few years ago and it said that thieves always go after envelopes that look to contain birthday cards since they know that relatives often send money (and now, I suppose, gift cards) tucked inside a birthday card.

[Kalli]

When I receive a card with a gift card inside, I can feel the gift card even before I open the envelope. It would be harder to feel a check but sometimes you can see a check through the envelope if it's flimsy.

I'd definitely tell people about this. Someone who handles the mail stole it. Not saying it was a USPS person, could've maybe been someone at the store where you mailed it. Still, I'd tell the manager and anyone else who'd listen.

-Kalli

[lovescats]

Did the store just have this outgoing mail slot for the convenience of its customers or was it from the USPS // I think someone from the store probably took it

I go to visit someone and the management of the complex has a basket of outgoing mail in the lobby

[sidsmom]

Who would leave their personal correspondence in an open outgoing container? That's so risky.

[Kachina624]

On 1/5/2015 Fona said:

I remember seeing a documentary about the Post Office a few years ago and it said that thieves always go after envelopes that look to contain birthday cards since they know that relatives often send money (and now, I suppose, gift cards) tucked inside a birthday card.

It would be very easy for a savvy postal employee to feel the gift card, even in a card. I've heard they can even detect checks. They are just like sending cash.

[Azcowgirl]

I learned last year to never again send cash in a birthday card after my DD never got hers. This year, I Sent gift cards in padded envelopes or small boxes but even then it's still risky. Thankfully they all arrived .

[Colinka]

If you think this doesn't happen often, read this news story. One of my state's postmistresses was fired and sentenced to jail after they caught her stealing gift cards.

(http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/02/13/3025717_idaho-mail-cases-spark-questions.html?rh=1)

As to the mail slot--it was at the customer service desk at a local big name grocery store. It is a slot cut into the desk front. At the desk, they sell stamps, lottery tickets, cigarettes, money orders,take payments for utility bills, etc. While it is not a postal service blue box, it seemed a safe enough place to mail two Christmas cards. Like I said, I learned my lesson!

[humpty dumpty]

That happened to me with a Kohl's $50 gift card I enclosed with my daughter's birthday card ...

I thought I could use the numbers on the receipt given to me by the store where I bought it ... but they do not print the entire number on your receipt ...

I now make a copy of the back of the gift card so that if that ever happens again, I will have something that can be tracked ... and this past Christmas I purchased virtual gift cards that can be emailed directly to the recipient or to your computer ... very convenient ...

[pattypeep]

On 1/5/2015 graycatsrule said: I think I would talk with the manager of the store. Who knows, maybe there were other complaints.

ITA.