Trying to solve a postal coin theft mystery.

OnWithTheHunt · February 3, 2020 9:20AM

Just before Christmas I mailed about $200 worth of common date buffalos, indian cents and V-nickels to a west coast dealer. Since I have done business with them for a long time, I wasn't too concerned when payment didn't arrived immediately, but after a month passed, I called and learned that my package had arrived damaged several weeks earlier, re-wrapped by the PO. But instead of coins, it contained Christmas cookies! Since so much time had passed, they had discarded the box, but were able to supply me with a couple of pictures. The package was insured and usually, I am almost anal in saving the receipts. Unfortunately, not this time. Because of folds in the plastic, I am unable to make out all the numbers, and the postmaster said no insurance claim can be processed without the tracking number, unless I have the exact date and time the package was mailed and the amount paid. Fat chance at this point. I have tried processing the photo various ways, and this is the clearest I can get. Have spent hours typing various numbers into the missing digits to no success. I'll keep at it, but wonder if anyone has ever successfully pursued a claim without that information.

AUandAG · February 3, 2020 9:37AM

You paid at the counter? If online you could research the payment method perhaps.

Good luck,
bob

Kliao · February 3, 2020 9:50AM

If you paid with credit card you might have the date and time.

BuffaloIronTail · February 3, 2020 9:56AM

If the barcode is all there it should give you tracking info.

Take it to the Post Office and have them scan it.

Pete

seanq · February 3, 2020 10:17AM

There should be six blocks of 4 numbers, then the final block of 2. So you are missing one set of digits in the photo, and one digit from the final block of 4.

The good news is that if you mailed anything else around that time, the first four digits of the label should be the same, so maybe you can recover those from another receipt. At that point, just use brute force to fill in the digit in the last block (I would start with 3070 through 3079, then try 3007 through 3097). Just keep putting the numbers into the USPS tracking website until you have a hit.

Good luck,

Sean Reynolds

streeter · February 3, 2020 10:43AM

30X7 or 307X
What Sean Reynolds said. Your postmaster can probably solve this if they are so inclined.

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 10:50AM

Apparently USPS doesn't have a way of using credit/debit cards to pull up transactions done with that card. It's an exceptionally archaic shortfall that works in their favor more often than not...

kevinstang · February 3, 2020 10:51AM

The first digit in the first block of 4 I recognize from most of my receipts 9505! I would agree with above- the final block of 4 numbers is missing one digit- either 30X7 or 307X like they said

thebeav · February 3, 2020 10:52AM

This dealer didn't send you a 'thank you' at the time for the cookies ?

ffcoins · February 3, 2020 11:11AM

So let me get this straight. The dealer bought coins from you, received the package which was torn and full of xmas cookies, and instead of notifying you they took a pic where the barcode is obscured and threw the package away? And held onto the pic this long?

That’s rather fishy my friend.

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 11:11AM

All of these came back with nothing so....?

9505811992789351310705
9505811992789351320705
9505811992789351330705
9505811992789351340705
9505811992789351350705
9505811992789351360705
9505811992789351370705
9505811992789351380705
9505811992789351390705
9505811992789351300705

9506811992789351310705
9506811992789351320705
9506811992789351330705
9506811992789351340705
9506811992789351350705
9506811992789351360705
9506811992789351370705
9506811992789351380705
9506811992789351390705
9506811992789351300705

9505811992789351310706
9505811992789351320706
9505811992789351330706
9505811992789351340706
9505811992789351350706
9505811992789351360706
9505811992789351370706
9505811992789351380706
9505811992789351390706
9505811992789351300706

9506811992789351310706
9506811992789351320706
9506811992789351330706
9506811992789351340706
9506811992789351350706
9506811992789351360706
9506811992789351370706
9506811992789351380706
9506811992789351390706
9506811992789351300706

9505811992789351310708
9505811992789351320708
9505811992789351330708
9505811992789351340708
9505811992789351350708
9505811992789351360708
9505811992789351370708
9505811992789351380708
9505811992789351390708
9505811992789351300708

9506811992789351310708
9506811992789351320708
9506811992789351330708
9506811992789351340708
9506811992789351350708
9506811992789351360708
9506811992789351370708
9506811992789351380708
9506811992789351390708
9506811992789351300708

9505811992789351301705
9505811992789351302705
9505811992789351303705
9505811992789351304705
9505811992789351305705
9505811992789351306705
9505811992789351307705
9505811992789351308705
9505811992789351309705
9505811992789351300705

9506811992789351301705
9506811992789351302705
9506811992789351303705
9506811992789351304705
9506811992789351305705
9506811992789351306705
9506811992789351307705
9506811992789351308705
9506811992789351309705
9506811992789351300705

9505811992789351301706
9505811992789351302706
9505811992789351303706
9505811992789351304706
9505811992789351305706
9505811992789351306706
9505811992789351307706
9505811992789351308706
9505811992789351309706
9505811992789351300706

9506811992789351301706
9506811992789351302706
9506811992789351303706
9506811992789351304706
9506811992789351305706
9506811992789351306706
9506811992789351307706
9506811992789351308706
9506811992789351309706
9506811992789351300706

9505811992789351301708
9505811992789351302708
9505811992789351303708
9505811992789351304708
9505811992789351305708
9505811992789351306708
9505811992789351307708
9505811992789351308708
9505811992789351309708
9505811992789351300708

9506811992789351301708
9506811992789351302708
9506811992789351303708
9506811992789351304708
9506811992789351305708
9506811992789351306708
9506811992789351307708
9506811992789351308708
9506811992789351309708
9506811992789351300708

9505811992789351307105
9505811992789351307205
9505811992789351307305
9505811992789351307405
9505811992789351307505
9505811992789351307605
9505811992789351307705
9505811992789351307805
9505811992789351307905
9505811992789351307005

9506811992789351307105
9506811992789351307205
9506811992789351307305
9506811992789351307405
9506811992789351307505
9506811992789351307605
9506811992789351307705
9506811992789351307805
9506811992789351307905
9506811992789351307005

9505811992789351307106
9505811992789351307206
9505811992789351307306
9505811992789351307406
9505811992789351307506
9505811992789351307606
9505811992789351307706
9505811992789351307806
9505811992789351307906
9505811992789351307006

9506811992789351307106
9506811992789351307206
9506811992789351307306
9506811992789351307406
9506811992789351307506
9506811992789351307606
9506811992789351307706
9506811992789351307806
9506811992789351307906
9506811992789351307006

9505811992789351307108
9505811992789351307208
9505811992789351307308
9505811992789351307408
9505811992789351307508
9505811992789351307608
9505811992789351307708
9505811992789351307808
9505811992789351307908
9505811992789351307008

9506811992789351307108
9506811992789351307208
9506811992789351307308
9506811992789351307408
9506811992789351307508
9506811992789351307608
9506811992789351307708
9506811992789351307808
9506811992789351307908
9506811992789351307008

OnWithTheHunt · February 3, 2020 11:31AM

@DelawareDoons said:
All of these came back with nothing so....?

Wow, you managed to run all those so quickly? Thanks, its taken me days. Is it possible to rerun them substituting a 4 as the second 1 in 8119. Looks to me that the serif on the second 1 may be missing. No problem if not possible. At least I have a list of numbers not to try.;

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 11:38AM

@OnWithTheHunt said:

@DelawareDoons said:
All of these came back with nothing so....?

Wow, you managed to run all those so quickly? Thanks, its taken me days. Is it possible to rerun them substituting a 4 as the second 1 in 8119. Looks to me that the serif on the second 1 may be missing. No problem if not possible. At least I have a list of numbers not to try.;

Just copy/paste them in batches of two groups at a time. You can put up to 35 numbers in there at once.

daltex · February 3, 2020 11:49AM

@DelawareDoons said:
Apparently USPS doesn't have a way of using credit/debit cards to pull up transactions done with that card. It's an exceptionally archaic shortfall that works in their favor more often than not...

Is it even legal to do what was suggested? I thought companies were not allowed to store card numbers.

OnWithTheHunt · February 3, 2020 12:17PM

@DelawareDoons said:

@OnWithTheHunt said:

@DelawareDoons said:
All of these came back with nothing so....?

Wow, you managed to run all those so quickly? Thanks, its taken me days. Is it possible to rerun them substituting a 4 as the second 1 in 8119. Looks to me that the serif on the second 1 may be missing. No problem if not possible. At least I have a list of numbers not to try.;

Just copy/paste them in batches of two groups at a time. You can put up to 35 numbers in there at once.

OK, thought for some reason you had tried them unsuccessfully. Thanks for organizing them like that. I'll let you know how I do.
Thanks to others for their suggestions also.

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 12:23PM

@OnWithTheHunt said:

@DelawareDoons said:

@OnWithTheHunt said:

@DelawareDoons said:
All of these came back with nothing so....?

Wow, you managed to run all those so quickly? Thanks, its taken me days. Is it possible to rerun them substituting a 4 as the second 1 in 8119. Looks to me that the serif on the second 1 may be missing. No problem if not possible. At least I have a list of numbers not to try.;

Just copy/paste them in batches of two groups at a time. You can put up to 35 numbers in there at once.

OK, thought for some reason you had tried them unsuccessfully. Thanks for organizing them like that. I'll let you know how I do.
Thanks to others for their suggestions also.

Oh I did try those, but if you want to adjust, you can do it in large batches instead of one at a time, it makes life easier.

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 12:24PM

@daltex said:

@DelawareDoons said:
Apparently USPS doesn't have a way of using credit/debit cards to pull up transactions done with that card. It's an exceptionally archaic shortfall that works in their favor more often than not...

Is it even legal to do what was suggested? I thought companies were not allowed to store card numbers.

It is absolutely legal to store SOME information. How many cards do you think have the same first four digits, last four digits, name and expiration date? You can store enough to identify the card without making it usable for transactional records.

Jimnight · February 3, 2020 12:30PM

Good luck!

davewesen · February 3, 2020 12:38PM

I missed where you bought the postage - it is possible that you might be able to get number there.

I keep all tracking receipts and periodically follow until delivery.

seanq · February 3, 2020 12:40PM

Even counting the missing digit in that next to last group, your label image only has 22 digits, and the USPS tracking numbers have 26, so the first four digits of the bar code are also cut off. Those typically don't change label to label, so if you have the tracking number from a package you sent around the same time, add the first four digits to the front of the numbers listed above and try again.

Sean Reynolds

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 12:49PM

@seanq said:
Even counting the missing digit in that next to last group, your label image only has 22 digits, and the USPS tracking numbers have 26, so the first four digits of the bar code are also cut off. Those typically don't change label to label, so if you have the tracking number from a package you sent around the same time, add the first four digits to the front of the numbers listed above and try again.

Sean Reynolds

No, they have 22. 5 sets of 4 and 1 set of 2. I am looking at several right now.

GotTheBug · February 3, 2020 1:07PM

Many of you are probably familiar with the heavy-duty paper tape with reinforcing threads, the kind that you moisten and adhere to the package.

Once it dries the stuff is like iron and cannot be tampered with without evidence of the tampering. I use this on the seams of any Priority Mail Flate Rate Box or package that I send. After hearing the continuing horror stories of packages being messed with I'm going to start covering the entire package with the stuff.

gtstang · February 3, 2020 1:15PM

Sounds bizarre that a thief would replace the contents with Christmas cookies...

Namvet69 · February 3, 2020 1:42PM

Just the twisted mind of an arrogant thief. Kind of an FU and merry Xmas. Peace Roy

seanq · February 3, 2020 1:47PM

@DelawareDoons said:

@seanq said:
Even counting the missing digit in that next to last group, your label image only has 22 digits, and the USPS tracking numbers have 26, so the first four digits of the bar code are also cut off. Those typically don't change label to label, so if you have the tracking number from a package you sent around the same time, add the first four digits to the front of the numbers listed above and try again.

Sean Reynolds

No, they have 22. 5 sets of 4 and 1 set of 2. I am looking at several right now.

Interesting, I checked eBay and the tracking numbers there had 22 digits, but I also have two slips from when I traded in cell phones last month and those have 26. Does the length of the tracking number depend on the type of package?

Sean Reynolds

DelawareDoons · February 3, 2020 2:54PM

@seanq said:

@DelawareDoons said:

@seanq said:
Even counting the missing digit in that next to last group, your label image only has 22 digits, and the USPS tracking numbers have 26, so the first four digits of the bar code are also cut off. Those typically don't change label to label, so if you have the tracking number from a package you sent around the same time, add the first four digits to the front of the numbers listed above and try again.

Sean Reynolds

No, they have 22. 5 sets of 4 and 1 set of 2. I am looking at several right now.

Interesting, I checked eBay and the tracking numbers there had 22 digits, but I also have two slips from when I traded in cell phones last month and those have 26. Does the length of the tracking number depend on the type of package?

Sean Reynolds

Maybe? They were USPS? I was looking at first class and priority, both are 22.

AUandAG · February 3, 2020 2:59PM

My latest PO number for a padded package, first class with tracking: 9400108205496045227512

Gluggo · February 3, 2020 6:33PM

Onwiththehunt
First sorry for your loss.
I wonder why you did not call them when the package arrived?
I wonder why the coin dealer did not call you when the package came damaged with cookies inside?
Did they know you were sending them these coins? We’re you in contact with someone there?

I can understand that you did not follow it and threw the receipt away. I could see myself doing that but I would of called them by phone to see if they got the coins in hand. They would of told you thanks for the cookies. I can only guess you sent the coins and told no one, so they though you were sending them Christmas cookies. Where did the Christmas Cookies come from? Did they eat them? I really do hope you figure out a way to get your tracking number. Glad it was only $200.00 and not $20,000.00 worth. Sort of a low dollars Lesson Learned next time you send coins. Now I am hungry for cookies but am a Diabetic.

Ohhhh I forgot to ask What type of cookies were they? Chocolate Chip? Lemon 🍋 Zingers? Those are my favorite. Especially those in the small packages but spends Type cookies. Macodamion Nuts w white chocolate?

Electricity · February 3, 2020 7:26PM

Amazingly I just tried about 200 unique combinations and all came up empty.

However.... if you are so inclined google “USPS Publication 199”

It’s literally 199 pages long, but it would be the way to go to extrapolate the numerical code bar.

All of the bar code numbers have a relation, perhaps the last block of 4 could be the post office you mailed from?

Hope this helps

OnWithTheHunt · February 4, 2020 7:34AM

Tried the 180 different variations suggested by DelawareDoons as well as another 180 changing the 8119 to 8149 and no luck. Believe that 22 is the correct number of digits for the tracking number, and 9 is the first. All searches ended with the notification that information was not yet available. Beginning to suspect that the thief somehow messed with the number. Thanks to all who took the time to make suggestions. Not giving up yet though.

ricko · February 4, 2020 8:45AM

Sorry to hear of your loss.... Seems strange though, that the receiving group did not contact you... I would think they were expecting coins right? When only cookies showed up, that would be a danger sign...Good luck in your search. Cheers, RickO

PerryHall · February 4, 2020 9:16AM

@ricko said:
Sorry to hear of your loss.... Seems strange though, that the receiving group did not contact you... I would think they were expecting coins right? When only cookies showed up, that would be a danger sign...Good luck in your search. Cheers, RickO

Good point. How well do you know the buyer? He may have received the coins and when he didn't hear from you after a couple weeks assumed you forgot about them and sold them. After you called he may have invented the cookies in the package story to get out of paying you for the coins.

OnWithTheHunt · February 4, 2020 10:48AM

@PerryHall said:

@ricko said:
Sorry to hear of your loss.... Seems strange though, that the receiving group did not contact you... I would think they were expecting coins right? When only cookies showed up, that would be a danger sign...Good luck in your search. Cheers, RickO

Good point. How well do you know the buyer? He may have received the coins and when he didn't hear from you after a couple weeks assumed you forgot about them and sold them. After you called he may have invented the cookies in the package story to get out of paying you for the coins.

Not blaming the receiver for this fiasco. As I said, I should have not waited so long to check in with them. Have done business with them for years and they were as helpful as they could be once the problem was reported. I did not contact them before I shipped. Also believe the thief took the packing slip I enclosed. Tempted to report this to the postal inspector but doubt there is much they can or will do.

davewesen · February 4, 2020 11:34AM

the first 4 numbers seem to be a combination of location and added services. you have not said where you got the label, but you could try a repeat to get those 4 - also they may have records from last couple months

SoFlo · February 4, 2020 1:17PM

A different train of thought -
The thief removed the coins from the packaging probably because he saw the coin shop address and replaced them with cookies. He wasn't just being funny with the cookies, The package needed to get to it's final destination and without the weight, the package would have been discovered at the next terminal. This way, if the packaged is questioned a week or two later, USPS may be aware of an inside job but they can't pinpoint where it happened.

Another possibility -
Employee see's the address on the package and "forgets" to scan it. The package will still arrive but there's no way to track it or even file a complaint because as far as USPS is concerned, the package never existed.

daltex · February 4, 2020 8:27PM

@OnWithTheHunt said:
Tried the 180 different variations suggested by DelawareDoons as well as another 180 changing the 8119 to 8149 and no luck. Believe that 22 is the correct number of digits for the tracking number, and 9 is the first. All searches ended with the notification that information was not yet available. Beginning to suspect that the thief somehow messed with the number. Thanks to all who took the time to make suggestions. Not giving up yet though.

I assume there is some error encoding in USPS tracking numbers, so the vast majority of 22 digit numbers would return errors. USPS doesn't really need a system for septillions of packages. What I'm trying to say is that if you were guessing numbers at random it would be incredibly unlikely for you to guess one that the system wouldn't reject. Probably one chance in 100, maybe one in 1000. It's not unreasonable to assume that the last group is "check digits".

Hemispherical · February 6, 2020 2:18PM

Someone didn’t get their Christmas cookies... switcharoo.

Kliao · February 6, 2020 6:08PM

Any luck yet?

golden · February 6, 2020 8:52PM

Cookies!!!!!!!!!!

Trying to solve a postal coin theft mystery.

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