Postal Facts - U.S. Postal Service
We protect you and your mail.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the federal law enforcement, crime prevention, and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service. Founded by Benjamin Franklin and established on August 7, 1775, the Inspection Service is one of the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agencies.
In 2024, the Inspection Service reported 2,038 arrests related to illegal narcotics cases.
USPS
Defending
the mail from illegal drugs
The Postal Inspection Service is committed to using the most advanced technology to stop fentanyl traffickers. Postal inspectors use data, forensics and citizens’ tips to protect Americans and apprehend opioid dealers who send illegal drugs through the mail.
USPS
POSTAL
INSPECTION SERVICE
Defending the frontier. Enforcing the law. Established Aug. 7, 1775.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service enforces federal laws, prevents crimes, and keeps customers, employees and the mail safe. It’s one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the nation. Postal inspectors remain on the heels of the criminals — targeting theft, disrupting drug traffickers, warning about fraud scams and more.
FIRST
African American inspector
The first known African American postal inspector was Isaac Myers in Baltimore in 1870.
Operation
Protect Veterans
In 2024, Postal Inspectors continued their partnership with AARP through Operation Protect Veterans to raise awareness of scams that target military veterans.
In 2024, the Inspection Service seized 5,011 assets worth more than $54 million.
1971
first female inspectors
In 1971, the Postal Inspection Service became one of the first federal law enforcement organizations to hire female agents.
In 2024, forensic scientists and specialists in the Postal Inspection Service’s Forensic Laboratory Services examined more than 1 million items, including 378 terabytes of data. Inspectors identified 2,262 suspects based on the evidence gathered by the lab.
Emmy Award
winning TV show
The Inspection Service uses various media platforms to educate the American public about scams and how to avoid them. A weekly TV series, "The Inspectors," was based on real-life Postal Inspection Service cases. 104 episodes of the Emmy Award-winning scripted drama ran for four seasons on network television, reaching more than 200 million viewers.
National Consumer Protection Week. During the Federal Trade Commission’s annual awareness campaign, the Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service provide customers with education, tools and information to combat identity theft and mail fraud.
USPS
Sanctity
and Security of U.S. Mail
The Postal Inspection Service works aggressively and takes all practicable measures to ensure the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail.
USPS
1,700
suspicious mail incidents
Postal inspectors responded to and investigated approximately 1,700 suspicious mail incidents in 2024.
USPS
$750,000
in recovered equipment
In 2024, the Inspection Service recovered approximately $750,000 in misappropriated or stolen mail transport equipment.
The U.S. Mail is protected by more than 200 federal laws enforced by the Postal Inspection Service, one of the nation's oldest law enforcement agencies.
4,754
Inspection Service arrests
In 2024, the Inspection Service made 4,754 arrests and secured 4,228 convictions related primarily to crimes involving mail theft, assaults and robberies of employees, mail fraud and prohibited mailings.
Trademarks
The Sonic Eagle Logo, the trade dress of USPS packaging, the Letter Carrier Uniform and the Postal Truck and the following marks are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: Click-N-Ship®, Deliver The Win®, EDDM®, ePostage®, Every Door Direct Mail®, Express Mail®, First-Class™, First-Class Mail®, First-Class Package International Service®, Forever®, Global Express Guaranteed®, IMb®, Informed Delivery®, Intelligent Mail®, Label Broker™, Parcel Select®, P.O. Box™, Post Office®, Pony Express®, Postal Inspection Service™, PostalOne!®, Postal Police®, #PostalProud®, Priority Mail Express International®, Priority Mail Flat Rate®, Priority Mail International®, Priority: You®, Registered Mail™, Standard Mail®, The Postal Store®, United States Postal Inspection Service®, United States Postal Service®, U.S. Mail®, U.S. Postal Inspector™, U.S. Postal Service®, USPS®, USPS BlueEarth®, USPS Mobile®, USPS Operation Santa®, USPS Tracking®, usps.com®, We are people delivering to people™, ZIP+4® and ZIP Code™. This is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service trademarks.
Non-Postal Trademarks
Dollar General®, Forest Stewardship Council®, How2Recycle®, McDonald’s®, National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, Starbucks®, Subway®, Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, The Climate Registry®.
Postal Facts 2024 provides the public with information about the U.S. Postal Service. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, in a business, informational or academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. However, these facts may become outdated after publication and seeking the latest information is advised.
Produced by U.S. Postal Service Corporate Communications
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