Mail tampering brings misery

I WOULD like to warn other readers about correspondence delivered to the wrong address, and some unsavoury persons receiving other people's private letters, apparently opening and tampering with them - and then, after reading them, resealing the envelope, holding on to the letters for eight to 10 days and then reposting the letter back into the postal system.

This happened to me. A credit card bill was posted to me, clearly addressed. It was put in the wrong letter box - not an isolated case, I hasten to add - on or about January 14.

On January 28, the postal service placed a card through my door for a letter held by them with the incorrect postage paid, to be picked up at Warboys Post Office. Added was a charge of £1.24 for handling and plus second class postage.

Needless to say, the letter was my credit card bill, now four days overdue. I telephoned the credit card company and explained my situation.

I was told I would have to pay a late payment fee of £12, because of a careless postal person, and an inconsiderate, nasty-minded, nosey so-called neighbour.

Orchard Close and Warboys village do have some very nice and helpful residents, but I despair of one tiny fraction spoiling it for no good reason. Plus, tampering with Her Majesty's Mail is so sad, and an offence if caught.

I have an extra £13.24 on my credit card bill, plus a chance that my credit rating could be affected because of late payment.

That person has now added to a pensioner's budgeting in the most evil and wicked way. Instead of my spreading my cost so I can afford to live, they decided to pull a terrible scam: £13.24 may not mean much to most but, when you're already on the tightest of budgets and have to use a credit card to make ends meet, it's really mean and uncalled for.

B SPARKES

Orchard Close

Warboys