Postal Inspectors use criminal and civil forfeiture statutes, when appropriate, to seize assets associated with criminal acts. The Postal Inspection Service is a leading federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of identity takeovers, a crime that often begins with the theft of mail or use of the mail to defraud individuals or financial institutions. The Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting postal customers from misuse of the mail. Inspectors place special emphasis on mail fraud scams related to advance fees, boiler rooms, health care, insurance, investments and other consumer frauds, especially when they target the elderly or other susceptible groups. Postal Inspectors aggressively investigate criminals who attempt to conceal the proceeds of illegal acts through monetary transactions.
Inspectors identify and seize criminals' assets, denying violators the proceeds of their crimes.
Postal Inspectors investigate the counterfeiting, altering and forging of postal money orders. Postal Inspectors respond promptly to robberies of postal employees and postal contractors. Inspectors focus on preventing robberies through the use of security equipment and improved postal procedures. Postal Inspectors invest significant resources into the investigation of mail theft by postal contractors, employees or other individuals. Last year, about 300 employees were identified for crimes involving workers' compensation fraud.