United States Postal Service Autria Finley USPS does everything they can to avoid paying on insurance claim after item sent was stolen by USPS worker Saint Louis, Missouri

Article Number: VG819668456US
Attention:  Autria Finley
Date Mailed:  April 11, 2011
Claim ID: 1705784

Dear Autria, I am sending you this letter in response to a denied claim by David for an item that he sent to me via USPS that was never delivered.

The item was sent on April 11th, 2011. The tracking number longer comes up on the USPS site. However, during the time I was waiting for the item, I watched the tracking website. What,  I noticed was that there was only 1 tracking entry for the item.
 
David filed a claim with USPS for the item being lost. On or about May 7th, I received a letter from you asking me to take my damaged items in to the local post office. This made no sense to me as I knew that David filed a claim for item being lost, NOT damaged.  So, I drove down to my local post office and waited in line. After waiting in line, I told one of the clerks that I had received a letter to bring damaged items in to the Post Office. I explained that there were no damaged items and that the item was actually lost. The clerk then told me that I needed to file a claim. I explained that David had already filed a claim and that it didnt make any sense that I would file a claim on something that already had a claim filed. He still handed me a claim form 1000. It was obvious that he was just trying to get me out of the lobby and did not want to deal with my issue.

So, I came home and emailed David who told me that he had filed a claim for the item being LOST, not damaged. 

So, what was in the package? It was a roll of 1 ounce American silver eagles (count 20). The amount paid was $950.00 dollars.

Now, I have a lot of concerns about this claim. Why has this claim not been paid?  Why did USPS change the claim to damaged when there is no evidence that the item ever made it out of Rhode Island let alone make it to California? Furthermore, USPS had already sent a letter to David indicating that item was lost in transit so USPS knew that the item was lost.

I believe that one of the USPS workers stole the item in question. I think that the size, weight, and possibly sound (depending on whether or not the US Treasury container had a gap at the top, some have a gap, some dont) might have tipped off a postal worker as to the contents.

I also have concerns as to why there are numerous reports of unpaid insurance claims on ripoffreport (consumeraffairs and consumerist also have claims about USPS)

Why are you selling insurance If you are going to do everything in your power not to pay on a claim?

Why should consumers trust USPS?

I cant even describe the stress that issues like this cause on the involved parties.  Multiple trips to the local Post Office, emails back and forth to the sender, letters received indicating incorrect information, incompetent postal clerks, etc.

David was told that the claim was denied by USPS. Apparently, the claim was closed without even notifying him!

He, has since, filed an appeal.

Thanks,
 
Scott