The U.S. Postal Service has warned that criminals often seek master keys to steal mail and commit financial crimes. Several women in an Upper Kirby neighborhood fell victim to this, with their mail disappearing and fraudulent charges appearing on their accounts. Houston Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating the thefts. Customers are reminded to promptly report mail theft and take steps to minimize the risk of becoming a victim. Rilwan Balogun reported
Mail Theft in Upper Kirby Neighborhood Sparks Frustration and Investigation
The U.S. Postal Service has issued a warning about the increasing incidents of mail theft, which is often linked to other financial crimes. This warning comes after several women in an Upper Kirby neighborhood fell victim to such a crime, causing frustration and concern among the residents.
One of the affected women, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed her extreme frustration, stating, “It’s extremely frustrating that somebody was able to do this to us.” The problem first came to their attention back in August when they noticed their mail disappearing.
The situation escalated when one of the victims discovered unauthorized charges on her credit card. As the neighbors started discussing the issue, they realized that they were all facing the same problem. Suspicion grew when they reviewed footage from their Ring doorbell cameras and spotted a woman, who did not reside in their community, making frequent visits.
To catch the culprits in the act, the residents decided to install a surveillance camera directly in front of the mailbox. This move eventually led to the identification of a woman and a man as the thieves. However, their faces are not being shown as they have not yet been identified as suspects by the police.
The impact of the mail thefts extended beyond unauthorized credit card charges. The anonymous woman shared her experience, stating, “She had access to my account. That night I closed my account with this company. I got a letter in the mail weeks later, it’s closed. I come home the other day, Monday, that some company I now have a charge for $4,400.” The thieves made four different visits, twice a day, to the same store.
The Houston Police are currently investigating two packages that were stolen on the same night. Additionally, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is conducting its own investigation into the mailbox cluster theft.
Expressing their disbelief, the victims emphasized the audacity of the thieves, stating, “They didn’t even care. Came in, I mean, my neighbors, we were all home while they did this and none of us knew. It took them maybe three minutes.”
Statement from the United States Postal Inspection Service
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is aware of the reported mail thefts in the Upper Kirby area. The inspectors are actively coordinating the investigation with local law enforcement partners. As the investigation is ongoing, the USPIS cannot provide further details at this time.
The USPIS advises customers to report any instances of mail theft directly to them via their hotline at 877-876-2455 or through their website www.uspis.gov/report. It is crucial to report such incidents to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. Customers are also encouraged to provide any additional information, including video evidence, to assist in the investigation.
While the U.S. Mail is generally a secure means of transmitting sensitive items, such as checks, money orders, credit cards, and merchandise, these items can still be attractive to thieves. The USPIS and USPS continually review and enhance the security of mailboxes to prevent theft. However, thieves employ various methods and tools to bypass these security measures. Mail theft often occurs during the overnight hours when there are fewer witnesses.
To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of mail theft, the USPIS advises customers to promptly collect their mail and avoid leaving it unattended in their mailboxes. Outgoing mail should be handed directly to the letter carrier or deposited inside the local post office. The longer mail sits in a mailbox, the more vulnerable it becomes to theft.
It is important to note that mail theft is a federal offense and can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years. In Texas, it is also considered a state offense and can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the crime.
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