Investigative Case Highlights

Postal Service employees are not only entrusted with delivering the mail — they’re also responsible for the security of arrow keys (which are used to open those iconic blue collection mailboxes and cluster box units, like those used in apartment buildings). It’s one thing for thieves to assault postal employees for their arrow keys — it’s another level of egregiousness when a postal employee willingly steals and sells them to a criminal organization.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) routinely investigates illegal narcotics being trafficked through the mail. However, when there’s suspicion that a postal employee may be involved, our special agents are called in to bring that person to justice.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people across the nation witnessed acts of kindness and heroism every day. From neighbors helping neighbors, to courageous medical personnel, first responders, and trusted Postal Service workers risking their lives to bring life-sustaining aid to others — they stood as a beacon of hope in times of darkness.

This was no ordinary mail theft investigation. Complaints were flooding the lines: Postal Service customers around Chicago were calling their banks and credit card issuers saying checks and cards were being stolen from the mail and fraudulently used. Those institutions and clients were reporting the thefts directly to our Hotline and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which investigates mail theft by non-postal employees. Some contacted other federal law enforcement and local police departments

There’s a sinking feeling when you realize a check you’ve mailed goes missing, never to be found. But it’s a bigger blow when you hear the check wound up on a social media platform for sale.