Fort Worth, Texas – As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Postal Service experiences a significant surge in the volume of letters and packages being delivered. However, this time of year also sees an increase in mail theft, a concern that Diane Dunaway, a recent victim, is keen to highlight.
Dunaway’s ordeal began when she mailed a large check. Despite taking a photo of herself putting the check in a drop box as a record, she was shocked to discover that the payment never reached its destination. “I was very careful,” Dunaway remarked. “And then to find out they did not get the payment. I was flabbergasted.” This incident propelled Dunaway to alert others about the risk of mail theft.
After reporting her situation to the Fort Worth police, Dunaway was informed of numerous similar incidents, prompting the involvement of the U.S. Postal Inspector. Sean Smith, the U.S. Postal Inspector for the Fort Worth Division, emphasized the gravity of the crime: “It’s a federal felony. Stealing mail is something we take very seriously.” Smith, along with his law enforcement partners, is no stranger to tackling mail theft, particularly during the holiday season. For instance, last Christmas, the Lake Worth Police apprehended two men in the act of burglarizing drop boxes.
Smith advises postal customers to take several precautions to minimize the risk of mail theft. These include retrieving mail promptly, using secure mail drops, reporting suspicious activities near mail carriers, and signing up for the Postal Service’s free informed delivery feature, which provides email notifications about expected mail.
Dunaway’s situation was eventually resolved when she proved that she was a victim of fraud. The thieves had stolen her check, forged a name on it, and cashed it. She was fully reimbursed for the thousands of dollars stolen from her account. However, this experience has profoundly affected her approach to making payments. “I will never, ever, never mail a check again,” Dunaway firmly stated.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for all postal customers. The increase in mail theft during the holidays calls for heightened vigilance and adopting safer mail practices. Dunaway’s story is a reminder of the importance of being cautious and proactive in protecting one’s mail, especially during these peak times.
