If you live in a multi-unit building in San Francisco and have noticed missing mail or packages, you are urged to contact the USPS's 24 hour hotline at 87. The female suspect is described as White, 35-55 years old with red hair, dressed in a black jacket, and black pants. He can be seen in the video wearing a black leather jacket and jeans. The male suspect is described as a 40-50 year old Caucasian with black hair receding at the hair line, pulled back in a ponytail. Rhodes is hoping investigators will be able to close in on the thieves soon, as he and his neighbors feel vulnerable. Postal Service Inspectors have known about the problem for at least 10 days but so far no locks have been changed, a process he says he was told will take $200,000 to fix. "We've been told that it's maybe sold to a disgruntled USPS employee or it was stolen," said Rhodes. So how did the thieving duo obtain the key? Officials say at least two other buildings in the area have been hit, SFPD believes the number could be higher since often times there is no sign of theft, except for missing mail and packages. The thieves targeted Rhodes' building on August 4, 7, and 18 between midnight and 6am. "The theft of the mail is up to five years in federal prison, up to $250,000 fine." "The mere possession of one of those keys is a federal felony potential penalty is up to 10 years in federal prison," said U.S Postal Service Inspector Jeff Fitch. It also opens the mail bank door, garnering the burglars’ access to individual mailboxes. The key is a physical key which fits into a keyhole in the intercom entry system, allowing the thieves to buzz themselves into the building. "I think everyone feels violated that these people can have access our building and the mail." "These guys had stolen it on Thursday, well, on Saturday, they charged like $5000 in charges to local businesses," said Rhodes. Rhodes says the burglars swiped a credit card from his box that he hadn't activated yet. " knew exactly what they were doing especially when they're carrying- they both have cups of coffee!" All rights reserved."I was amazed they were totally relaxed they walked in," said Rhodes. If you believe your mail was stolen, report it immediately by submitting an online complaint at or calling 87.Ĭopyright 2023 KOLO. If you see a mail thief at work, call police immediately, then report it to Postal Inspectors at 87 (say “Theft”). By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted neighbors, you can watch each other’s mailboxes and residences. Consider starting a neighborhood watch program.If you have concerns about security in your neighborhood, consider installing a lockable mailbox or obtaining PO Box service from your local Post Office.Ask your bank for “secure” checks that are more difficult to alter. Hand outgoing mail to your letter carrier, or mail it at the Post Office, an official blue USPS collection box on the street, or a secure receptacle at your place of business.If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency.Criminal busted with 73 pieces of stolen mail and counterfeit USPS master key. Police say Smalling was arrested with 73 pieces of mail from 13 different addresses. You can sign up for email and text alerts at Surveillance video at the Uptown Post Oak Apartment Homes shows him sifting through mail and stealing the phone of a man who witnessed the crime. When expecting a package delivery, track the shipment at.Have your Post Office hold your mail while you’re away. Don’t leave your mail unattended for extended periods. Just as you wouldn’t leave the door to your home unlocked while you’re away, you shouldn’t let mail accumulate in your mailbox.If you won’t be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items.You can significantly reduce the chance of being victimized by simply removing your mail from your mailbox every day. Don’t let incoming or outgoing mail sit in your mailbox.USPS has said that they can’t do this job alone and have provided a list of ways people can protect their mail: Every time anyone in our whole area goes there they tell us it’s under inspection,” Walker says. RELATED USPS mail trucks with packages stolen from West Seattle. banks filed roughly 680,000 check-fraud reports, according to data from an enforcement division of the Treasury Department. We know they haven’t done anything yet, we have not been contacted by an inspector. In early May, USPS discovered that a master key had been stolen and used to access peoples mail all over the 98118 zip code. Checks in particular are stolen from the mail at high rates. “We just want the post office to do something.
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