Do You Have To Sign Registered Mail

Background

The U.South. Postal Service offers Registered Mail for customers sending valuable or irreplaceable items through the mail. Registered Mail provides added protection for valuable and important client and internal mail with testify of mailing and delivery.

Tracking service begins from the time the sender presents the mail to the Postal service to the point of commitment. An accountable private must sign for the Registered Postal service piece each time information technology changes hands and each intermediary office must prepare control logs. Registered Mail pieces too require specific packaging and sealing methods for security and protection. When non in transit, Registered Mail pieces must be stored in a locked rubber, room, or cage separated from other mail.

During fiscal twelvemonth 2016, the Post processed [redacted] million pieces of Registered Mail service and collected acquirement of about [redacted] million.

Nosotros used geographical information system mapping, insurance claims, and Registered Mail volume to judgmentally select 15 mail service offices and two registry sections from 4 areas for review.

Our objectives were to review current operational controls over Registered Mail for effectiveness, follow-up on prior recommendations from a 2012 audit, and identify potential process improvements and efficiencies.

What the OIG Found

Mail service operational controls over Registered Mail service at fourteen of 15 post offices visited were not always acceptable, effective, or followed. Some of the mail service offices had multiple issues such as:

Six mail service offices had safes storing Registered Mail and other accountable items that were open and unattended during business organisation hours.

Two doors to the registry room or cage were open and unlocked when not in use and the safe key was not secure at ane of the mail offices.

One post role'due south Registered Mail for daily bank deposit was not secured routinely while awaiting acceleration and remittance.

Six postal service offices left Registered Mail pieces unattended in an open up area.

Four mail offices did non maintain logs recording personnel access to the registry room or cage.

Fourteen mail service offices had employees who did not complete required grooming courses for credence, transfer, and security of Registered Postal service.

We besides determined that the Postal service did not complete corrective action on prior U.Southward. Postal Service Office of Inspector Full general report recommendations related to Registered Mail.

Specifically:

Two of three mail service offices in the Southern Area did not provide a step-by-step procedure toolkit to employees responsible for Registered Post or complete the Registered Mail compliance checklist. Southern Area management agreed to provide a copy of the toolkit to employees in response to a prior audit recommendation.

Two of ix mail service offices in the Capital Metro and Western areas did non assess vulnerability and take a chance associated with facilities, including those related to Registered Mail. Area management agreed to complete the assessments in response to a prior audit recommendation.

As a result of the bug identified, the Mail is at an increased run a risk of delayed mail service, theft, or loss which could too increase insurance claims and client dissatisfaction with the Registered Mail service service, potentially impacting its brand.

Further, opportunities exist for post offices and registry section offices to improve the Registered Mail process and efficiencies by implementing evolving applied science. These improvements should strengthen information sharing, provide more efficient services, and minimize risks associated with unlocked cages, cabinets, or safes.

What the OIG Recommended

We recommended management verify that employees responsible for Registered Mail complete the required preparation; monitor Registered Mail service operations to ensure employees comply with policies and procedures; update the transmission portions of the procedure; and monitor engineering science to modernize the Registered Mail service process.

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