A Dundee woman has been compensated after a card and a money voucher intended for a friend’s birthday were apparently stolen.
Elizabeth Hyslop, 64, sent the card and £15 M&S voucher from the post office at Meadowside in a sealed and taped envelope.
But when it arrived at its destination, the envelope was already torn open and emptied, according to Elizabeth.
She has put in numerous complaints to Royal Mail since the incident in December, but said that she has been sent “from pilar to post”.
Elizabeth said: “I doubt I’ll get the things back but it’s not about that, it’s the principle of the whole thing.
“I’m just so angry. This was meant to be a gift for my friend’s 65th birthday and instead she got an empty envelope.
“There’s no way the card and voucher could have fallen out, as I sealed the envelope and put tape over it.
“It was clearly ripped open and somebody has pocketed the voucher.
“When I went back to the post office they told me that this has happened to other people as well – it’s a disgrace.
“I’ve been calling Royal Mail for months, but each time I get through to a different person and I’m passed from pillar to post.
“I sent them the ripped envelope for evidence and I haven’t heard back.”
A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Royal Mail would like to sincerely apologise to Ms Hyslop that she did not receive the first class service she expected and deserved from Royal Mail on this occasion.
“We have contacted her and are arranging for a cheque to be sent as a gesture of goodwill, to compensate for the loss of this item and distress caused.”
“We recommend that customers sending cash or other valuables by post use our Special Delivery Guaranteed service which includes compensation cover for sending jewellery, cash or other valuables.”