Torn envelopes, missing money: Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

Residents of Anderson Creek Crossing in Spring Lake are concerned after multiple reports of tampered mail.

In a concerning trend, over a dozen neighbors in the Harnett County community have discovered their mailboxes compromised.

Envelopes have been ripped open, and specifically, gift cards have vanished.

While minor damage to mail isn't uncommon, the repeated occurrence and targeted nature has residents on edge.

"This arrived in the mail-it had tape on it and i already heard horror stories in the neighborhood," Sherra Shaheen, lives in Spring Lake said.

Shaheen received a birthday gift card for her son from friends on the West Coast.

The mail arrived tampered with and taped shut, raising suspicion.

Upon opening it, they found the gift card missing.

"We found out it actually had a gift card in it and so we proceeded to open it and a gift card was gone," Shaheen said.

This wasn't an isolated incident. Other residents shared similar experiences.

One neighbor reported a stolen $50 gift card, while another lost a birthday card containing over $125.

"Disheartening, disrespectful, so..hopefully we get to the bottom of it," Michelle Smith, lives in Spring Lake said.

Michelle Smith's sons mailed their great grandmother a sweet gift.

The surprise-spoiled when it arrived in Hickory, NC.

"It showed up at her door, just like this.it had been ripped open, taped back together and the gift card was gone, drawing was still there," Smith said.

Neighbors reached out to United States Postal Service for answers.

The response-"your inquiry has been processed and has been forwarded to appropriate management team for research and response."

Shaheen has her suspicions -when lock boxes are meant to limit access.

"There's nobody taking it out physically unless they work for the post office," Shaheen said.