CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has intensified federal efforts to address the
surge in mail thefts by increasing the prosecution of cases involving stolen mail, announced
Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Federal prosecutors and
investigators are also urging residents and businesses to take proactive measures to prevent thefts
and report stolen mail promptly.
“Mail theft is not a victimless crime. Not only does it disrupt the delivery of important mail, but
it can be a conduit to identity theft and financial fraud, with significant consequences for
victimized individuals and businesses,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office is committed to
protecting and securing our postal system, but we also need individuals and businesses to remain
vigilant and take steps to secure their mail. Working together, we can stop mail thefts and uphold
the integrity of our postal services.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought charges and secured convictions against defendants for
crimes related to mail theft. The cases involve mail stolen from residential and business
mailboxes and mail processing centers, used to commit financial fraud, bank fraud, and identity
theft. Among the defendants charged are former postal employees, who misused their position
and access to commit mail theft and engage in criminal schemes involving stolen mail.
“The safety and security of the U.S. mail and its customers are core to the mission of the U.S.
Postal Inspection Service,” said Inspector-in-Charge Tommy D. Coke of the Atlanta Division.
“Mail theft can have devasting consequences for victimized individuals and businesses. This
effort would not be successful without the cooperation between our federal, state, and local law
enforcement counterparts. We will continue to work collectively to pursue criminals who
victimize postal customers.”
“We appreciate the outstanding effort by both our law enforcement partners and the Department
of Justice,” said Jeffrey Krafels, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,
Office of the Inspector General (USPS-OIG). “The vast majority of Postal Service employees are
honest, hardworking individuals who would not violate the public’s trust in this manner. An
employee who decides otherwise, will be aggressively investigated by OIG Special Agents.
These cases serve as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPSOIG, our federal and state law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue
and prosecute Postal Service employees and their co-conspirators involved in criminal activity.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office advises the public to take the following steps to protect their mail and
avoid becoming a victim of mail theft:
1. Promptly Retrieve Mail: Collect your mail daily and avoid leaving it in the mailbox
overnight.
2. Secure Mailboxes: Use secure, lockable mailboxes for incoming and outgoing mail.
3. Inquire About Overdue Mail: If you have not received valuable or important mail
you’re expecting, contact the sender to inquire about it.
4. Don’t Send Cash: Avoid mailing cash, gift cards, or other items of value. When doing,
so utilize the package tracking and signature confirmation options.
5. Hold Mail When Away: Use the USPS Hold Mail service when you are out of town.
6. File a Change of Address: When moving, file a change of address with USPS.
7. Report Suspicious Activity: Immediately report any suspicious individuals or activities
near mailboxes to local law enforcement.
8. Monitor Financial Statements: Regularly review bank and credit card statements for
any unusual activity.
9. Sign up for Informed Delivery and get daily digest emails that preview your mail and
packages scheduled arriving soon.
Customers are encouraged to report stolen mail as soon as possible by submitting an online
complaint to the Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455.
Additionally, report the theft to your local police department to ensure they are aware of
potential criminal activity in your area. Individuals are also encouraged to report allegations of
Postal Service employee misconduct, including attempts to corrupt a Postal Service employee, to
the USPS OIG at 1-888-877-7644 or www.uspsoig.gov