Note: The high number of local postal theft and fraud cases last month prompted an inquiry to the Postal Inspection Service. Here is the response.
As the law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, the Postal Inspection Service leads the organization’s efforts to protect all Postal Service employees and efforts to ensure the secure delivery of mail to the American public.
Project Safe Delivery is a joint initiative aimed at countering postal crime and safeguarding postal employees. The initiative was announced in May 2023, in direct response to combat the recent rise in threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents by protecting postal employees and the security of the nation’s mail and packages.
Project Safe Delivery employs a holistic approach to address these crimes. It seeks to protect Postal employees and the mailstream, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail stream.
The United States Postal Inspection Service investigates and seeks criminal prosecution for crimes of mail theft, but mail theft is unfortunately a year-round issue. We encourage anyone with video and/or photos of mail theft to report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis.gov as well as to their local law enforcement agency.
Mail theft is both a federal (18 U.S.C. § 1708) and state (California Penal Code Section 530.5(e)) crime, and we regularly work towards either prosecution with our local partners.
While USPIS and USPS are always working to increase and improve security measures, there are many simple things residents can do to protect themselves and ensure their mail gets to the intended recipient:
Use the letter slots inside your Post Office to send your mail, especially financial documents.
Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you’re expecting checks, credit cards or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
Sign-up for Informed Delivery at www.USPS.com. This free service provides daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages. Having an account also allows you to place a mail hold online when you are traveling over the summer.
If you see a mail thief at work, call police immediately, then call Postal Inspectors at 1.877.876.2455. Use the QR code below to report incidents.
Amanda Jagusiak, Inspector & PIO
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
