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Action 9 investigates new ID theft tactic

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Melbourne family claims the United States Postal Service failed to stop thieves from stealing their address and their identities.

The agency has a security system in place so you can block bad guys from changing your address.

Chuck Keener is a man on a mission to reclaim he and his wife Robin's stolen identities. He blames the thieves and USPS.

"They sure didn't do anything to prevent it," said Keener.

According to Keener, a notice arrived that said the was changing Robin Keener's address from the family's home in Melbourne to an apartment in Pembroke Pines.

Keener said they called the 800 number on the notice.

"We have not moved anywhere. Do not change it," Keener said he told them.

According to the Keeners, the Post Office employee who took their call said the change of address would be reversed and gave them a confirmation number.

Despite a confirmation, a month later, the Keeners noticed missing mail. When they called the USPS, they found out the thieves were also taking over their finances.

"They got the address changed on all our credit cards and bank accounts directly to them," said Keener.

The Keeners filed police reports, credit alerts and slowly reclaimed their finances, but they remain outraged by a postal security notice that was supposed to protect them.

In response, the Postal Service told Action 9 only Robin Keener could call about the address change and once she made contact, it was reversed. They said 13 million change of address are handled every year.

The Keeners countered the Post Office confirmed it would protect them and failed.

"Did that system put you at risk?" asked Action 9's Todd Ulrich?

"Absolutely," said Chuck Keener.

Action 9 asked how many times similar situations happen, but the Postal Service would only say it was minimal.

You may want to challenge a fraudulent address change in person at the Post Office and in writing online.