Help with stolen certified mail?

[Pessemist]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?

[Bill14564]

I would start with the postmaster at the USPS office that serves your area. The next step may be to file a police report or to talk to a lawyer.

You will likely have a hard time proving that your delivery person pocketed your package but proving that you didn't sign for a package at an address that doesn't exist might be possible.

[Hardlyworking]

USPS packages are scanned when marked delivered. GPS coordinates are also recorded and can be retrieved. I had a package go missing once. I went to the PO and they showed the carrier had delivered the package to my mailbox. At the time, I had a hold placed on my mail. Someone stole the package from the mailbox and I never got it back. The PO absolved themselves of any responsibility and suggested that I get the vendor to reship. SMH.

[Challenger]

How do you know the info about the delivery person that you offered?

[retiredguy123]

Was it your fault that the house number was transposed? If not, I would expect the seller to replace the item. If it was your fault, USPS is responsible, but I doubt that you will ever recover the cost, unless you can prove that a USPS employee stole the item as you suggested.

[JohnN]

USPS has an Informed Delivery website which shows your mail each day, including tracking. If you don't have it, you should sign up. It also has a feature to file a claim on missing mail. I've used it and it works. PS - it may have been misdelivered and not stolen, so for now it's missing. You can also go to the local postoffice and talk to someone. Good luck.

Informed Delivery (https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action)

[retiredguy123]

USPS has an Informed Delivery website which shows your mail each day, including tracking. If you don't have it, you should sign up. It also has a feature to file a claim on missing mail. I've used it and it works. PS - it may have been misdelivered and not stolen, so for now it's missing. You can also go to the local postoffice and talk to someone. Good luck.

Informed Delivery (https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action)
I don't think a package with the wrong address would show up on Informed Delivery.

[EdFNJ]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions? I had a similar problem a couple years ago. A $900 item was sent to me w/signature required and some post person here signed for it with his name on the receipt and my name on the tracking info. Fortunately, it eventually appeared in my box. I had posted a thread about that as well back then and was told by one intelligent (not) poster "if you don't like it move." :a20:

[jimbomaybe]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?

I hope it was insured, you never took delivery, file a claim , I live in one of the new sections ,when I first moved in I had some problems having things shipped , I was told my address did not exist, save any and all documentation you have, keep records of all phone calls made regarding this incident with names of persons talked to, if written communications are not practical,, good luck

[JohnN]

I don't think a package with the wrong address would show up on Informed Delivery.

You can add any tracking number at all, file a claim , and explain the situation.

[Babubhat]

The sender used the wrong service. Likely to save a few bucks.

The U.S. Postal Service offers Registered Mail for customers sending valuable or irreplaceable items through the mail. Registered Mail provides added protection for valuable and important customer and internal mail with evidence of mailing and delivery.

[thelegges]

We had a certified package signed by worker, not us. It was legal paperwork to settle estate.

Called the postmaster, they not only tracked down the person who signed for the package, the package (opened) suddenly was found. Postmaster inform me that employees were not allowed to sign for certified mail, and would still be insured for loss until the certified package was received by the actual customer

[Babubhat]

I have had certified mail that post office failed to scan into the system. If it’s crucial use registered mail. Chain of custody much higher

[jedalton]

same happened to me, found out mail carrier was stealing mail to buy drugs. She was arrested but we never got our merchandise back. Tried to see our Postmaster but could never get appointment. Village of Duval

[tsmall22204]

You have leveled a pretty serious charge. I hope you have the evidence to back it up.

[newgirl]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?

That happened to me, I ordered hundreds of $$ of stuff only to never receive it even though it was delivered to the post office in Lady Lake. Come to find out, a worker was stealing .Never was contacted or stuff returned to me :-(

[4557Spahr]

The Villages still has a serious problem with the mail service. I sent a birthday card out November 1. It was received this week postmarked July 1 from Orlando!

[NoMo50]

Why go through the trouble of trying to solve this mystery? If the seller sent the item via certified mail with signature required, you have the proof you never received it. Contact the seller, demand a replacement, and ask the item be shipped by someone other than USPS. Let the seller deal with the postal service regarding the original package.

[Luggage]

Usps also has a criminal investigation unit nationally that you can report this to

[saninva]

The Villages still has a serious problem with the mail service. I sent a birthday card out November 1. It was received this week postmarked July 1 from Orlando!

I sent a Thanksgiving card and it was received yesterday with a June 29 postmark from Orlando also. It was left in the mail station for Dunedin on November 10!

[retiredguy123]

Why go through the trouble of trying to solve this mystery? If the seller sent the item via certified mail with signature required, you have the proof you never received it. Contact the seller, demand a replacement, and ask the item be shipped by someone other than USPS. Let the seller deal with the postal service regarding the original package.
The OP said that the package had the wrong address on it, but didn't say who provided the wrong address. If the OP gave the wrong address to the seller, do you still think the seller is responsible?

[DAVES]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?

I would call the post office, they are surprisingly helpful. I believe the term is not certified mail but registered mail. Registered mail is how you ship valuable stuff. Insured, the shipper can for a fee demand a signature on delivery. Priority mail, it can be tracked and for an extra fee insured. Was it insured? Did you pay with a credit card? You can dispute the charge. You will find they too are helpful. Shipping to an incorrect address is a common scam. I would not accuse the postal carrier. That is for the post office people to investigate.

[DAVES]

That happened to me, I ordered hundreds of $$ of stuff only to never receive it even though it was delivered to the post office in Lady Lake. Come to find out, a worker was stealing .Never was contacted or stuff returned to me :-(

Many years ago, I handled concealed shortages for a company. No shipper has 100% honest people. Just the reality. We tend to think to hope the company sends Sherlock Holmes or perhaps Monk to investigate. Reality it is often just written off as a cost of doing business.

People, companies tend to buy that clear or brown self stick tape to seal packages. Crooks have the same tape. They can and do, cut the box open and steal stuff. So that our boxes were not too light one person would replace expensive merchandise with bricks.

Drives everyone nuts but when I ship I glue the box closed with hot melt glue. If, opened it will be obvious.

Far as returning to you, something stolen the thief will quickly dispose of any indication that it is stolen. The post office used to and I expect still does hold auctions of stuff they do not have an owner for.

[Peazoup]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?
Last Christmas, our mail carrier (Edgewater Bungalows and Creekside Landing) stole mail that looked like a card that might contain money. Her mother caught her when she noticed tubs of mail in her bedroom. I think she is still in jail. My card was one that was stolen.

[allsport]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?

Call the Postal Inspection Service, that is fraud and they will get to the bottom of it. The local police will not have any jurisdiction on federal crimes.

[Lea N]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?

Have you already called your postmaster. Hopefully you can get through. If not try going down to the post office in person and ask to speak with the post master. Maybe, hopefully it is at the post office somewhere ... or hopefully it was sent back to whoever sent it to you.

I've had issues with the post office enough that whenever I can I use either UPS or Fedex when I can. Especially for items that are in the higher price range. They may not be perfect but they are much better than the post office and track everything.

The person or business that sent you the gemstone to the wrong address is responsible because they sent it to the wrong address.

I hope you find this soon. Best of luck.

[DAVES]

[QUOTE=Lea N;2113713]Have you already called your postmaster. Hopefully you can get through. If not try going down to the post office in person and ask to speak with the post master. Maybe, hopefully it is at the post office somewhere ... or hopefully it was sent back to whoever sent it to you.

I've had issues with the post office enough that whenever I can I use either UPS or Fedex when I can. Especially for items that are in the higher price range. They may not be perfect but they are much better than the post office and track everything.

The person or business that sent you the gemstone to the wrong address is responsible because they sent it to the wrong address.

I must state, a lot of the original post makes no sense. I used to be in business. I too often got a tale from customers, the check got lost in the mail. I more than once told customers it is strange the post office only loses checks, bills always seem to arrive.

The post office. Frankly when you call the people are very helpful. No need to go to the post office.

A gemstone? Not sure what is being called a gemstone. Depending on the stone, what it is,
size, quality the value can be a very wide range. Buy a gemstone. Just an unmounted stone. That is truly strange.

[DaleDivine]

[QUOTE=Lea N;2113713]Have you already called your postmaster. Hopefully you can get through. If not try going down to the post office in person and ask to speak with the post master. Maybe, hopefully it is at the post office somewhere ... or hopefully it was sent back to whoever sent it to you.

I've had issues with the post office enough that whenever I can I use either UPS or Fedex when I can. Especially for items that are in the higher price range. They may not be perfect but they are much better than the post office and track everything.

The person or business that sent you the gemstone to the wrong address is responsible because they sent it to the wrong address.

I must state, a lot of the original post makes no sense. I used to be in business. I too often got a tale from customers, the check got lost in the mail. I more than once told customers it is strange the post office only loses checks, bills always seem to arrive.

The post office. Frankly when you call the people are very helpful. No need to go to the post office.

A gemstone? Not sure what is being called a gemstone. Depending on the stone, what it is,
size, quality the value can be a very wide range. Buy a gemstone. Just an unmounted stone. That is truly strange.

I don't see anything strange about buying a gemstone. Lots of people do it, especially jewelers.

:22yikes::22yikes:

[retiredguy123]

Have you already called your postmaster. Hopefully you can get through. If not try going down to the post office in person and ask to speak with the post master. Maybe, hopefully it is at the post office somewhere ... or hopefully it was sent back to whoever sent it to you.

I've had issues with the post office enough that whenever I can I use either UPS or Fedex when I can. Especially for items that are in the higher price range. They may not be perfect but they are much better than the post office and track everything.

The person or business that sent you the gemstone to the wrong address is responsible because they sent it to the wrong address.

I hope you find this soon. Best of luck.
The OP did not say that a person or business sent the package to the wrong address. The OP could have provided the wrong address to the seller.

[Snowbug]

I have a problem I need to try and correct. I ordered a gemstone and it was sent certified mail signature required. To my horror I discovered a transposed digit in the street address : transposed to a house number that DOES NOT exist! It appears the delivery postal person signed my name AND put down the non-existent house number and pocketed the package. Any suggestions?
Anything of value should be sent "Registered Mail", not Certified Mail. It would have been insured. The carrier who signed for it should be held responsible.

[DAVES]

USPS packages are scanned when marked delivered. GPS coordinates are also recorded and can be retrieved. I had a package go missing once. I went to the PO and they showed the carrier had delivered the package to my mailbox. At the time, I had a hold placed on my mail. Someone stole the package from the mailbox and I never got it back. The PO absolved themselves of any responsibility and suggested that I get the vendor to reship. SMH.

Perhaps, misunderstood. You the customer, the receiver, non-receiver cannot file a claim.
The shipper must file the claim. On line purchases. Wise to pay with credit card. If, item is lost in transit they will withhold payment.

[Hardlyworking]

Perhaps, misunderstood. You the customer, the receiver, non-receiver cannot file a claim.
The shipper must file the claim. On line purchases. Wise to pay with credit card. If, item is lost in transit they will withhold payment.

Yep, I get that. The PO screwed this up, not the shipper. On line purchases.. hard to pay with cash. Retailer resent the items.

[DAVES]

[QUOTE=DAVES;2113754]

I don't see anything strange about buying a gemstone. Lots of people do it, especially jewelers.

:22yikes::22yikes:

Aside, we had a friend who did diamond mounting. He is now out of business due to age and foreign competition. Normal diamonds 1-2-3 carrot stones, he had them by the bag full.
Was interesting. They would collect the dust from the mounts and sell it.

Gem stones? Not all,"Gem stones," are diamonds or particularly rare, or VALUABLE. I had a block of Tiger eye at least a pound that i bought at a garage sale and sold on ebay. Garnet is used to make sandpaper.

Read my post, question asked and answered.