Davie business owners take action against fraudsters’ rampant mail theft

DAVIE, Fla. – A group of business owners in Davie were fed up. Their mail kept on getting stolen. They installed a surveillance camera and quickly got answers.

The video shows a brazen thief standing behind a mailbox at the Town Commerce Center off State Road 441, searching every cubby, and using an envelope to cover his face.

Adrian Talpos, who works for Absolute Roofing, said a crook at Town Commerce Center stole a check from the mailbox, forged it with a random name, and cashed it.

“We were out a lot of money on that,” Talpos said.

The surveillance video shows the thief had a key — likely a U.S. Postal Service master key.

The U.S. Postal Service investigators received the evidence and were investigating the case.

The problem: Fraudsters are getting their hands on U.S. Postal Service master keys.

The victims at Town Commerce Center said the thefts could have been prevented had the locks been changed when the key vanished.

WHAT TO DO

The U.S. Postal Service wants residents and business owners to rush to pick up their mail quickly after delivery to reduce the risk.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends making prompt inquiries about overdue mail — especially if it’s related to a credit card or check.

There are services for vulnerable mail. The USPS Hold Mail and the Hold for Pickup services keep mail at a Post Office facility for up to 30 days. The request signature confirmation service assures hand delivery.

To report mail theft to the Postal Inspection Service, call 1-877-876-2455.