Background
This report presents the results of our self-initiated audit of Mail Theft Mitigation and Response at Wedgwood Station and Seattle Carrier Annex in Seattle, WA. These sites are in the Washington District of the Retail and Delivery Operations, WestPac Area. Our objective was to assess the U.S. Postal Service’s actions taken to mitigate and respond to mail theft at selected facilities in Seattle, WA. See Appendix A for additional information about this audit.
The Postal Service’s mission is to provide the nation with trusted, safe, and secure communications and mail services. In fiscal year (FY) 2025, Seattle, WA, facilities processed more than 1.3 billion mailpieces. Unfortunately, these operations continue to be disrupted due to mail theft. Mail theft occurs in various ways, such as individuals using stolen universal keys — called arrow keys — to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units (CBU), and apartment panels. Additionally, mail theft occurs when individuals fish or break into collection boxes with force, and through residential mailbox break-ins, package theft, and carrier robberies.
Concerns about how the Postal Service prevents and responds to mail theft frequently appear in the media and have been a topic of congressional hearings and inquiries sent to the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. News articles have also highlighted carrier robberies and theft from blue collection boxes and CBUs nationally, which have included customers’ credit cards, checks, and social security benefits.
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