PITTSBURGH, PA — The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) today held a press briefing to provide fraud prevention best practices, tips on how to avoid scams and highlight the impactful outcomes of combating postal-related crimes through their joint Project Safe Delivery initiative under the Delivering for America plan. This includes continued efforts to protect Postal Service employees and fight phishing, smishing, and brushing scams in Pittsburgh and across the nation.

“Combating mail theft and violent crimes targeting Postal Service employees is of the highest priority for the Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “Through our continued efforts, we are making the entire mail system safer — from ensuring the protection of our employees to making sure customer’s packages make it to their delivery location safely and efficiently.”

Combatting Phishing, Smishing, and Brushing Scams

During the 2024 holiday season, USPS and USPIS saw a surge in phishing and smishing scam attempts. Phishing involves tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information through deceptive emails, while smishing uses misleading SMS messages to achieve the same goal. These phishing and smishing attacks appear to be from the Postal Service, but they are not, and individuals should not interact with them.

Brushing scams, a growing concern, involve sending unsolicited items to individuals from a seller who then posts fake customer reviews to boost sales. If you receive such packages, it is critical to report them to protect your personal data.

Simple Tips to Protect Consumers from Scams

• USPS never sends unsolicited text messages. Any text or email claiming that there is an issue with a package delivery is likely an attack. 
• USPS text messages NEVER include links 
• Treat your personal information like cash 
• Don’t click on any links 
• Forward USPS-related spam emails to spam@uspis.gov; forward smishing/text message to 7726

• For more tips on preventing scams, listen at usps-mailin-it-podcast.com/avoidingscamsand watch at youtube.com/dont-let-your-letter-carrier-get-snowed

Project Safe Delivery
Launched in May 2023, Project Safe Delivery is a joint initiative by USPS and USPIS to enhance postal employee safety and protect customers' mail and packages. Since its inception, Project Safe Delivery has resulted in a 27% reduction in letter carrier robberies and more than 2,400 arrests related to mail theft and related crimes.

Key aspects of Project Safe Delivery include:

• Education and outreach: USPIS has reached over 169 million addresses through regular outreach programs delivered by 34,000 Post Offices. These programs empower residents and businesses with tools to protect their mail, provide guidance on avoiding identity frauds like smishing and brushing, and educate the public on how to prevent mail theft. Monetary rewards for information on mail crimes have also been increased.

• Coordination with local law enforcement: In Pittsburgh and across the nation, USPIS has partnered with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to amplify its impact. In the past year alone, USPIS conducted 12 targeted “surges” in high-crime areas, resulting in more than 1,300 investigative actions and dozens of arrests. Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies have created a “force multiplier” effect, enhancing the program’s reach and effectiveness. By deterring theft and providing safer access for customers, the initiative has reinforced trust in USPS’s role as a reliable and secure mail carrier.

• Technological innovation: The use of advanced forensic technology has accelerated the investigation and resolution of mail theft cases, providing greater accuracy in tracking criminal activity.

• Public awareness on fraud prevention: Project Safe Delivery emphasizes simple, actionable steps for customers to protect their mail. Key tips include retrieving mail promptly, avoiding leaving checks in mailboxes overnight, and reporting suspicious activity. Additionally, customers are cautioned about counterfeit stamps and urged to purchase postage only from official USPS vendors.

To learn more about how Project Safe Delivery is helping combat mail-related crimes and keep postal employees safe, visit uspis.gov/project-safe-delivery. And for more information on the Postal Service’s transformational 10-year Delivering for America plan, please visit usps.com/delivering-for-america.

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