Couple drops off $46 check at post office, says woman stole it, cashed it for $700

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A Henry County teacher told Channel 2 Action News her husband handed a check to an employee at a Stockbridge post office but said a week later, they were victims of fraud.

DeKalb County police said someone took the $46 utility check to Georgia United Bank on Panola Industrial Boulevard, wiped it and wrote their own name on it, along with a new amount for $723.

"I was livid. I was so angry," victim Tracey Harris said. "What's most upsetting to me is that we were doing the right thing, handing to the mail person, and this still happened to us."

Harris is a first grade teacher who said her excitement for the new school year was put on hold when someone cashed the fake check out of her account.

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"She just looked like she didn't have a care in the world. Just strolled in the bank, handed them the check and walked out with our money," Harris said. "We definitely don't have $700 to just give away."

The bank has surveillance pictures of the suspect, and it's cooperating with police.

Channel 2's Matt Johnson contacted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and a spokesperson said the office has received multiple reports of mail theft at the Stockbridge location.

The Harris family said the bank refunded their money but they had to close the account and will not be sending any more checks in the mail.

"I trust the internet now more than I trust the mail system," Harris said.

The Postal Inspection Service said if you think you've been a victim of mail theft at the location, you can call 877-876-2455.

Cox Media Group