In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, which runs through Saturday, March 7, “People” is revisiting several recent situations where USPS employees sensed a scam and acted accordingly.
• Yanira “J” Crosser, a retail associate in Algona, IA, felt something was amiss when an older customer purchased a $2,000 money order and was about to send it to someone he didn’t know. Crosser alerted the postmaster, who consulted with the Postal Inspection Service, and the customer was advised not to mail the money. It turned out he was the target of fraudsters.
• Tashirah Taylor, a retail associate in Glen Ridge, NJ, encountered a similar scenario: An older woman purchased two $1,000 money orders and admitted to Taylor that it was her first time making such a transaction. She pulled out a letter that Taylor recognized as part of a sweepstakes scam. Taylor explained the situation to the customer and refunded her money.
• Vicki Steinbach, a retail associate in Potosi, WI, questioned a customer’s unusual transaction — sending envelopes of cash to one address — but the woman believed it was legitimate. Steinbach contacted a postal inspector, who uncovered a scam. The victim was out $30,000 but it would have been more had Steinbach, who has since retired, not intervened.
• Chris Broyles, postmaster of Benton, MS, grew concerned when a customer prepared to send $32,000 in cash that she insisted was for the purchase of a bitcoin product. Broyles expressed doubt, but the woman insisted on completing the transaction. He contacted a postal inspector, who confirmed the woman had been conned. The money was returned to her.
• Subrena Simpson, a retail associate in Gardner, MA, was uneasy about a transaction involving an older customer sending a check. The postmaster advised her to set aside the envelope while he investigated. It turned out the man was the victim of a sweepstakes fraud. Simpson’s hunch prevented the man from losing a further $29,000 — the scammers had already stolen $15,000.
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