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.
Blocked
fraudulent transactions
The Postal Service automatically blocks $1 million per month in potential fraudulent transactions for money order purchases.
Operation
Protect Veterans
Postal Inspectors in partnership with AARP launched "Operation Protect Veterans" to raise awareness of scams that are targeted toward military veterans.
1971
first female agents hired
In 1971 the Postal Inspection Service became one of the first federal law enforcement organizations to hire female agents.
17,000
mailpieces screened
During 2017, there were eight national mail screening events, including the Super Bowl. More than 17,000 mailpieces and private courier deliveries were screened at the events, heightening safety and security for all.
Postal Inspectors educate the American public about scams and how to avoid them. A weekly TV series, The Inspectors, is based on real-life cases. This innovative program reaches 1 million viewers weekly.
117,227
physical evidence items
Forensic scientists examined 117,227 physical evidence items at the Postal Inspection Service's state-of-the-art National Forensic Laboratory, leading to 940 suspects identified.
Postal Inspectors conducted 34 investigations of the use of mail to exploit children and made 15 arrests.
Postal Inspectors investigated 626 reported threats and assaults against postal employees during 2017. They made 259 arrests that resulted in 160 convictions.
The Postal Inspection Service seized 40,489 pounds of illegal narcotics and drug-trafficking assets worth $22.4 million in 2017.
2,282
suspicious mail incidents
Postal Inspectors responded to and investigated 2,282 suspicious mail incidents in 2017. There were no fatalities.
$1.5 million
equipment recovered
Postal Inspectors in 2017 recovered misappropriated or stolen mail transport equipment worth $1.5 million.
The Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service provide education, tools and information to combat identity theft and mail fraud during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission's annual awareness campaign.
200
federal laws enforced
Security. 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.
Postal Inspectors reported 5,538 arrests and 4,679 convictions related to postal crimes, primarily those involving mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited mailings in 2017.
Trademarks
The Eagle Logo, the trade dress of USPS packaging, the Letter Carrier Uniform and the Postal Truck and the following word marks are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service®:
Certified Mail®, Click-N-Ship®, Every Door Direct Mail®, Express Mail®, First-Class™, First-Class Mail®, Forever®, Global Express Guaranteed®, gopost®, Intelligent Mail®, Metro Post®, Parcel Select®, PO Box™, Post Office™, PostalOne!®, Postal Police®, Postal Service™, Premium Forwarding Service® , Priority Mail®, Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail Express International®, Priority Mail Flat Rate®, Priority Mail International®, Priority: You®, Registered Mail™, Return For Good®, 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 Tracking®, USPS.COM®, ZIP + 4®, and ZIP Code™. This is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service trademarks.
Postal Facts provides the public with information about the Postal Service. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, 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.
Special thanks to the Postal Facts 2018 editors:
Sue Brennan, Ilze Sella, Megan Plummer, Ashley Holmes Mullenix, Tatiana Roy, Carl Walton
Website design by:
Scott Tracy
Visit about.usps.com for more information.
Produced by Corporate Communications
© 2016-2018 United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
