MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A United States Postal Service employee is facing charges after she allegedly stole a check out of the mail and deposited it, Memphis Police say.
According to reports, the victim filed a police report in Idaho after a check was stolen out of the mail. The $638.17 check was deposited at Bank of America in Cordova on December 3, 2022.
“Theft is always a problem, but you know we always have to be cautious about theft,” Angela Anderson, a postal service customer said. “That’s terrible we want to depend on the companies to take care of our transactions.”
The check was reportedly made payable to the victim’s deceased parents. It was signed on the back by Ericka Ingram, police say.
Throughout the investigation, MPD gathered video footage and other evidence that made Ingram the suspect. She admitted to officers that she deposited the check in return for a $200 payment.
The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South recommends when writing checks or mailing them use gel black ink to make them harder to forge, consider buying thicker security envelopes, always watch your bank account for suspicious transactions, and send larger checks via certified mail to help keep your money as safe as possible.
“I don’t think we need to scrap checks altogether, but you just need to be cautious when you’re sending a check and making sure you’re following up,” Daniel Irwin, a postal service customer said.
Records show that Ingram is an employee of USPS, where she works at a mail processing facility. However, USPS said she no longer works for the Postal Service.
She was charged with Identity Theft and Theft of Property of $1,000 or Less.