Thief steals cash, gift cards after sifting through mail and opening birthday cards

WAXHAW, N.C. — Someone is going through residents’ mail, opening birthday cards and stealing money in several neighborhoods in Waxhaw, especially in the Silver Creek community, according to reports.

Julie Downs recently celebrated her birthday and friends and family members mailed her two cards, one with cash and the other with a gift card inside the envelope.

She said someone opened them and stole the money.

"It's very frustrating. I mean, to have someone send you something. They actually took the thought to send you a card and a small gift," she told Action 9. "It's frustrating that someone can go and take that from you."

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Her neighbor has a similar story. A thief opened a birthday card for her husband but didn't want the check inside.

"I found it interesting that the check was in there, even though it had been opened," she said. "Typically, I think people that are sending money through the mail, it's a grandparent sending it to their grandkids and it's pretty low to steal from children."

The two victims posted messages on social media, and they were not alone.

A man said he also ended up with an "empty birthday card."  Another neighbor wrote, "Call (Channel) 9!"

Action 9 got involved and the U.S. Postal Service said it's aware of the problem and looking into the matter. Downs said a local worker told her it's more of a problem around Waxhaw than in Silver Creek.

"She said, 'It's been happening for a while, for about a month in the Waxhaw area. It's not just your neighborhood,'" Downs said.

You may want to sign up for USPS's "informed delivery."

LINK: Informed Delivery

It's free You get images of the mail coming your way and can see what condition it's in. If you have problems, file a complaint.

Cox Media Group