KINGS PARK, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island post office branch is experiencing a series of mail thefts, with victims losing thousands of dollars and personal information, 1010 WINS has learned.
Multiple women spoke to 1010 WINS about the losses they experienced sending mail out of the United States Postal Service branch in Kings Park, located in Suffolk County.
One woman mailed two checks out of the branch, and they both were stolen and washed, removing $4,000 from her bank account. It was made worse when the thieves used her information to open credit card accounts and apply for student loans.
“I contacted a lawyer. I don’t want to have to spend money on a lawyer, but if they have my name and address [they] could just continue this,” she said.
Another woman said that out of 20 invitations she sent from the branch, only one arrived.
“I ordered $80 invitations that were just beautifully designed,” she said. “I think they just got stolen. That’s why they never arrived.”
Daniela Fernandez of the Postal Inspector’s Office said that mail theft is a problem at many post offices, with thieves using anything with glue, including glue traps, to get their hands on it.
“Go inside the post office and deposit your mail,” she advised. She also told 1010 WINS that if you think your mail was stolen, call the police immediately, or contact the issuing agency if you didn’t receive a check or valuable.
A third woman, who had medical records and IRS paperwork she mailed from the branch stolen, is concerned about what this trend means for ordinary people trying to use the postal system.
“Very worrisome,” she said. “It’s very easy to get someone’s information and to lose control of your own life.”