JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Earlier this month, the Ask Anthony team told you about a Jacksonville couple who received Christmas cards over the holidays from their grandparents. But, there was something important missing from inside those cards.
"It's so obvious it was theft. My letter here...it's opened with a letter opener. This wasn't shredded through a machine. It was sliced right down the side," Cody Pafford said.
Pafford said his family sent him $100 for his birthday. His fiancé, Kayla Fuller, received $20 for Christmas from her grandparents. When they received their mail, they said it was clear the envelopes had been tampered with and there was a note from the United States Postal Service saying their mail had been damaged. When they opened the envelopes, no money was found.
Pafford and Fuller both contacted the United States Postal Service and asked for an investigation.
"I asked them if they knew where it happened. Her's (Fuller) was actually insured. If so, they should have been able to do more of an investigation. They haven't even gone back to her to try to get her money back or anything like that," Pafford said.
Since their story aired, many of you have emailed the Ask Anthony team with similar issues:
Kara says:
"Anthony, My important mail regarding credit card or military pay continues to be tampered with. I’ve reported it to postmaster. Also cards are often opened. A gift card for $50.00 was stolen last week out of my mail. My military pay envelope was opened when it reached me. I’m very concerned and was told “that mail gets damaged sometimes”. I’m concerned my military pay information was stolen."
Terri says:
"I too was sent a Christmas card which had cash. USPS sent a picture of the envelope through the USPS informed delivery email on Dec 15, 2023. The card was never delivered. I reported it as missing mail and was told they would find it. To date the envelope has never been delivered."
The Ask Anthony team received a response from the United States Postal Service's Office of Inspector General. They have called Pafford and Fuller for more information. If you have a complaint, click here to fill out a form. You can report issues such as theft, delay, or destruction of mail by Postal Service employees and contractors.
The United States Postal Service does not prohibit sending cash in the mail. But, they advise you to try other options. For example, sending money using a personal or certified check or money order.
These options are traceable and a stop payment can be put on a check if it doesn't arrive at its destination.