USPS customers stunned to find mailbox wrapped in plastic after checks vanish – now they face extra step at post office
Share this @internewscast.com

USPS customers have been left scratching their heads after finding a post office mailbox wrapped in plastic.

The top of the USPS box was completely covered, leaving customers unable to drop their letters inside for delivery.

USPS mailbox wrapped in plastic.
The big blue USPS mailbox in Houston was found covered in plastic, preventing anyone from using itCredit: KHOU-TV
A man with a long gray beard speaks from inside a car.
Residents were frustrated, questioning why USPS allowed a compromised mailbox to remain in serviceCredit: KHOU-TV
USPS mailbox wrapped in plastic.
One of the residents discovered that at least one of the stolen checks, worth over $13,000, had been fraudulently cashedCredit: KHOU-TV
USPS Post Office sign partially obscured by branches.
After reporting the theft, postal employees allegedly told the resident the box had been targeted by thieves beforeCredit: KHOU-TV

The mailbox is located outside the Oak Forest Post Office on Judiway Street in north Houston, Texas.

“People can’t drive up and mail their letter,” resident Ricky Walschburger told CBS local affiliate KHOU of the odd sight.

“They have to go out and go inside to use the mailbox. It’s a big inconvenience.”

The box was later unwrapped but not before confusion and frustration spread through the community.

One resident, who didn’t want to be identified, was left wondering if the wrapped box had anything to do with recent mail theft.

She said a recent headache with USPS cost her thousands.

The woman said she dropped off multiple checks in the mailbox earlier this month.

“It had all the decals, it still had the pickup time listed, and there was no indication that it wasn’t working,” she said of the mailbox.

Days later, she learned the checks were never delivered.

And to make matters worse, she said at least one of the checks, worth over $13,000, had been fraudulently cashed.

Final days before USPS changes go into effect with new delivery times – it’ll take longer to get certain types of mail

“They did their best to make it look like my handwriting,” she told KHOU of the signature on the checks.

“That was a little disturbing to see.”

She had used the box to mail company checks on her way home, assuming it was secure.

When she reported the theft, postal employees reportedly told her the box had been targeted by thieves before.

USPS Statement

Here’s what USPS said about the Oak Forest collection box:

The Postal Service is committed to ensuring the security of mail and the receptacles where customers deposit it, such as collection boxes. We can confirm that the collection box at the Oak Forest Post Office in Houston, TX, is intact and operational.

Customers can deposit mail in the box at this time. 

Though the box was temporarily out of service, it has been restored and is now fully operational. Customers wishing to ensure added security for their mail can also use the lobby drop box at the Oak Forest Station.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. If anyone suspects mail theft, please contact the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or visit www.USPIS.gov/report for assistance.

She said workers at the Oak Forest post office even found a pile of undelivered mail still inside the mailbox when they opened it up.

“I was basically informed that’s a nonfunctioning mailbox,” she said.

“What sense does it make to have a mailbox outside the post office that isn’t functioning? It’s extremely confusing.”

USPS was forced to apologize but didn’t elaborate on why the mailbox was wrapped in plastic.

The agency also didn’t say how long the box was out of service.

“The Postal Service takes the security of the mail very seriously, including receptacles where customers deposit mail, such as collection boxes,” USPS said in a statement.

It added that the mailbox was “inadvertently out of service for a short time” but is now fully operational.

The agency urged customers to use lobby drop boxes or hand mail directly to an employee at the counter for added security.

It also advised customers mailing large checks to consider using secure money transfer applications instead.

USPS mess-ups

The United States Postal Service is facing customer complaints as the mail agency struggles to stay afloat admit workforce cuts and financial loss.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

How the World’s Most Isolated Tribe Protects Their Territory by Rejecting Outsiders, Yet Faces Threats from Modern Influences

AN ISLAND in the Indian Ocean is home to the world’s most…

Lady Victoria Hervey’s Critical Remarks on Virginia Giuffre Highlight How Prince Andrew’s Supporters are Exploiting the Situation and Overlooking the Harsh Reality: By Bryony Gordon

Even by social media’s ever-plummeting standards, it was an extraordinarily mean-spirited post.…

Tom Cruise Honors Val Kilmer, Requests CinemaCon to Pause for a Moment of Silence

At the start of a surprise appearance at CinemaCon this morning, Tom…

Trump Dismisses National Security Staff Amid Pentagon Investigation of Group Chat Error Leading to War Plans Exposure

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has fired several White House National Security Council officials…

The first animal you notice in this intriguing optical illusion can reveal insights about your personality.

TAKE a free personality test with this optical illusion, which reveals whether…

Elderly British Missionary, 83, and Assistant Reportedly Seized by Gunmen in Cameroon; Church Pleads for Their Freedom

A BRIT missionary, 83, and his assistant have been abducted by a…

2025 MTV Video Music Awards to Debut on CBS and Simulcast on MTV

For the first time, CBS will broadcast the 2025 Video Music Awards,…

Cleveland Heights City Council Convenes Special Meeting to Address Concerns Regarding Mayor’s Wife’s Position at City Hall

The meeting centered around issues stemming from City Administrator Dan Horrigan’s resignation…

Bus Driver Shares His Story About the Virginia Giuffre Accident That Nearly Proved Fatal

THE bus driver involved in a crash which allegedly left Virginia Giuffre…

‘Rick and Morty’ Season 8 Debuts May 25th: Complete Guide and Insights

Fans of Adult Swim’s hit animated series Rick and Morty have a…

Missouri Representative Warns Residents of Tariff Impact

Missouri Congressman Jason Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Ways and…

Girlfriend of Elyria suspect Donte Parker, previously missing, surrenders to police: Details inside

Officials say Petra Pintar voluntarily arrived at the Elyria Police Department on…