Investment Scams

During the Cold War, the U.S. government prepared for the unthinkable… And the Post Office Department had a surprising role to play. In this episode of Mailin’ It!, USPS historian Steve Kochersperger and Smithsonian military history curator Frank Blazich reveal how Post Offices became fallout shelters, postal vehicles were designated for emergency use, and some employees formed a nationwide ham radio network. Discover how lessons learned from Cold War civil defense helped shape the Postal Service’s approach to emergency preparedness today.

Online shopping has made returns an expected part of the retail experience—but for businesses, what comes back can be just as important as what goes out. In this episode of Mailin’ It, Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino talk with Nagee Jackson, Director of New Business Acquisition at the U.S. Postal Service, about the business of returns and reverse logistics. Nagee explains why retailers should view returns as part of the customer experience, how return policies can affect customer loyalty and profitability, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

A shooting investigation in Hampton, Virginia, unexpectedly leads Postal Inspectors to a sprawling identity theft and check fraud operation involving stolen mail, postal keys and more than $2.1 million in losses. Investigators follow a trail of counterfeit checks, bank surveillance and social media posts to uncover a fraud ring led by 25-year-old Christopher “Sauce” Warren—and ultimately bring its members to justice. The episode also explains how the Postal Service is fighting mail theft through Project Safe Delivery and offers practical tips customers can use to better protect their mail.

From gold rush boomtowns to transcontinental railroads, the U.S. Postal Service played a pivotal role in connecting a rapidly expanding nation. In this episode of Mailin' It, hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino welcome USPS Historian Steve Kochersperger to explore the remarkable stories behind mail delivery during America's westward expansion. Discover how postal employees once disguised themselves as passengers to outsmart railroad companies, how the California Gold Rush transformed mail delivery and helped launch companies like Wells Fargo and American Express, and why the Pony Express became one of history's most misunderstood mail services. The conversation also uncovers the dramatic story of the "Silk Train," the infamous Tunnel 13 mail robbery, and how those events helped shape modern federal forensic investigations and mail security. Along the way, the hosts also share a fascinating look at the unique Texarkana Post Office, where one building serves two states at once.

In this episode of Mailin’ It, we explore one of the nation’s oldest federal accessibility programs, Free Matter for the Blind. For over 90 years, USPS and the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) have partnered to deliver free, accessible reading materials, tactile books, and specialized playback equipment to Americans with print disabilities. NLS Director Jason Broughton joins to discuss the history of the program, and the critical role USPS “last mile” delivery plays in connecting and supporting rural and isolated communities.