Audit of Sacramento Post Offices: 143 Missing Arrow Keys
- 143 arrow keys were reported missing from Sacramento post offices
- Mail theft and robberies are becoming a major issue
- USPS efforts to improve security seem ineffective
Last year, we examined a USPS audit where, out of 84 postal facilities inspected, 76 facilities across 25 states and the District of Columbia found untracked or unsecured arrow keys from 2019 to 2024. This is particularly concerning as mail theft and mail carrier robberies are a major source for stolen checks.
The USPS has responded to the rise in mail theft with the launch of Project Safe Delivery in 2023, where antiquated locks were to be replaced with new electronic systems. Not much information has been published on these new locks; however, Birmingham, Alabama Postmaster John Richardson provides some details in a recent news article:
“It’s going to be a dual purpose,’ he explains. “You still may have a key and a code. The way that it works is that carrier, when he gets to that box, will receive a particular code in order to open it. Has to use that code, put the key in order to open the box.”
We now have some uninspiring updates from recent audits of Sacramento, CA, USPS facilities.
Concerns from Recent Sacramento Audits
According to an article from the Sacramento Bee, the area has been hit hard with mail theft.
From March 1 through Aug. 31, 2024, in the Sacramento area, 1,207 mailboxes and cluster box units were reportedly tampered with, 1,011 pieces of mail were reported missing. 978 packages were reported missing, 728 pieces of mail were reported stolen and 487 packages were reported stolen, USPS data shows.
The USPS has performed a recent audit of three Sacramento facilities: Sacramento Main Post Office on Royal Oaks Drive; the Fort Sutter Station on Alhambra Boulevard, and; the Rancho Cordova Post Office on Progress Court.
Unfortunately, the results were discouraging to say the least.
A report from MSN.com notes that 141 electronic locks and 141 high-security electric boxes have been installed in Sacramento, but their efforts seem ineffective in addressing the theft issues.
"We acknowledge the findings of the recent report on mail theft and are committed to implementing the recommended training and mitigation strategies," USPS said in a statement to CBS Sacramento. "These measures will further strengthen our efforts to safeguard the integrity of the mail and protect it from criminal activity."
Banking Industry Cannot Rely on USPS
From what we can gather via various reports and audits, it's difficult for the banking industry to be assured that the USPS will take necessary steps to secure mail -- and, in turn, reduce the number of checks being stolen. Since FIs are the ones bearing the brunt of customer dissatisfaction, FIs must be the first -- and primary --guard against fraud losses from their customer's accounts.
In order to do this, a multitude of technologies must be deployed, carefully tracking each transaction and the behavior of accounts -- not to mention analyzing check images and proactively monitoring the dark web and Telegram to close compromised accounts.
The Federal Reserve reports check fraud growing by 10% and accounting for 30% of fraud losses. The time is now for FIs to take necessary steps to curb the trend.