USPS unveils plan to crack down on mail theft

CHARLOTTE — The United States Postal Service is responding to an increase in mail thefts with a new action plan unveiled to Congress this week.

According to the USPS, letter carrier robberies are on the rise across the country. In 2022, 412 USPS letter carriers were robbed, and that number is already up to 305 just halfway through 2023.

Channel 9 has reported on the variety of mail thefts in the Charlotte area, from letter carriers being robbed, to mailboxes being targeted repeatedly.

So the USPS is introducing new steps to address the thefts and several other issues. The agency says 12,000 high-security blue collection boxes will be installed nationwide, and 49,000 electronic locks will replace antiquated arrow locks. Some of those have already been installed in cities across the U.S.

The USPS is also cracking down on counterfeit postage and fraudulent changes of address.

In addition to its own efforts, USPS is calling on regular people to take steps to prevent theft. That includes not letting mail sit in your mailbox, signing up for informed delivery, and keeping an eye out for your letter carrier.

You can see the full plan to prevent mail thefts at this link.

(WATCH: USPS office in Fort Mill targeted by mail thieves, detectives say)