Following the theft of a rent check from a USPS drop box, a Little Rock company owner issues a safety caution to mailers

Little Rock, Arkansas – After her rent check was taken from a post office drop box, a business owner in Little Rock is warning other people.

West Little Rock’s Live Thankfully consignment store is run by Kimberly Cook. All sales proceeds from the non-profit store are used to support Little Rock’s homeless youngsters.

“[By starting this business] we wanted to invite the community of Little Rock and central Arkansas to help us be difference makers,” Cook said.

Cook and her husband have been keeping the place open for the past five years by paying the rent by check. Cook claims that they generally mail it inside the post office, but this time, they were pressed for time.

“We dropped it Sunday night in the post office [drop box],” Cook said.

Monday has passed. Cook claims that no one ever received the check.

“I thought it just got lost or it was delayed,” Cook stated.

She claims that after going to the bank, she learned that the check had been taken. She claims she cashed $6,000 after the sum was adjusted.

“We’re just trying to do good in the community,” Cook said.

Cook claims that the encounter made her aware of the risks associated with drop boxes.

“We’ve had so many customers come and tell me the same thing has happened to them or their neighbor or their relative,” Cook stated.

Cook claims to have reported the theft to the police and is hoping the criminals come forward.

Up until then, work is started to make up for a $6,000 loss.

“It just makes me so sad that there’s homeless youth on the street and money that could be going to them was stolen,” Cook said.

The United States Postal Service has not responded to requests for comment from our station regarding this inquiry or others like it.

As the holiday season approaches, Cook recommends folks to drop off any gifts, money, or checks behind post office doors.