By Howard Koplowitz
Residents of a Queens Village block have been concerned about possible identity theft after some of them received letters in the mail last week indicating parcels were stolen on their mail route.
Charlton D’souza, a homeowner on 105th Avenue, said he was outraged that an alert had not been issued throughout the community.
“The way [the post office] treats us, they didn’t even notify the community board,” D’souza said during an interview on his block Monday. “They didn’t notify the congressman. It’s ridiculous.”
D’souza said he was also angered because the letter from the postal inspector’s office was dated Feb. 17, but he did not receive the missive until Feb. 28.
“Regular mail is sent quickly, so why are they doing this to our community?” he asked. “Why was it sent 11 or 12 days after the fact? Identity theft can happen really fast.”
D’souza also said the letter was not specific enough to ascertain exactly what happened to the mail.
“To be honest with you, we don’t know what’s going on,” he said.
Yesult Beltfort, the postal inspector who sent the letter, could not be reached for comment, nor could the U.S. Postal Inspection Office.
Trenton Bullock, another resident of 105th Avenue, said the mail carrier told him the door to his truck was ajar when the theft occurred.
“He was telling me there was a lot of mail stolen from his truck,” Bullock said.
Cynthia Gordon said she did not receive her mortgage notice or Con Edison bill, which she said usually arrives around the time the stolen mail notification was given.
Gordon said she did not receive the letter.
“I just thought [the missing mail] may be because from all the snow,” she said.
Robert Taylor, another 105th Avenue resident who also used to be a mail carrier, said he was shocked after receiving the letter, but does not believe any of his mail was stolen.
Taylor said he was concerned the letter was not specific enough.
“They should know what block [the theft occurred on] and everything,” said Taylor, who said he is going to speak to his mail carrier about the incident.
His wife, Marie Taylor, accused the postal service of being incompetent.
“I don’t trust them up there,” she said. “It seems they’re not doing what they’re supposed to.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.00
