Daily printout: Sept. 11

The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to stay alert for smishing scams on USPS-issued devices.

Smishing is a type of cyberattack that uses text messages to trick people into providing sensitive information or taking harmful actions.

Cybercriminals are impersonating Postal Service leadership and asking for personal data by sending text messages.

For example, a smishing text might say: “Dear Team Member, your account has been compromised. Click this link to verify your credentials. — USPS Leadership.”

Postal Service employees and contractors should follow these tips to avoid falling for smishing scams:

• Be suspicious of text messages that request personal or business information — or that require you to take immediate action.

• Don’t click on links in unexpected or unsolicited text messages.

• Be cautious of text messages from unknown or suspicious numbers.

• Don’t reply or respond to suspicious looking text messages.

• Block notifications from unsaved phone numbers to decrease the likelihood of falling for a smishing scam.

Report any suspicious texts received on USPS-issued devices by forwarding them to the Postal Inspection Service’s spam account.

The CyberSafe at USPS Monthly Awareness Campaigns Blue page has more information.

The Postal Service dedicated its stamp honoring William F. Buckley Jr. in a ceremony at Yale University on Sept. 9.

Buckley (1925-2008) was a prominent author, columnist and television host who helped define the conservative movement of the mid-20th century as one of its most recognizable spokesmen.

In 1955, he founded National Review magazine, a leading conservative publication.

Eleven years later, he created “Firing Line,” an Emmy Award-winning public affairs TV program that featured spirited discussions on the issues of the day. His eloquence and wit endeared him to people across the political spectrum, and he was famous for his friendships with people he disagreed with. 

 “The Postal Service takes great pride in our stamps and the unique opportunity they offer to tell the story of America, and we believe William F. Buckley Jr. is deserving of this honor,” said Isaac Cronkhite, the Postal Service’s chief processing and distribution officer, who spoke at the ceremony.

“As one of our most influential public intellectuals, a prolific author, a television host, and friend to many people across the political spectrum, Mr. Buckley was a fierce believer that democracy is strengthened by engaging seriously with those who have different perspectives and ideas.”

Joining Cronkhite for the ceremony were Pericles Lewis, dean of Yale College; Lauren Noble, founder and executive director of the Buckley Institute; George F. Will, author and columnist; and Christopher Buckley, author and William F. Buckley’s son.

“My father earned many laurels over the course of his remarkable career,” said Christopher Buckley. “He’d have been delighted, proud and — there’s no other way to put it — downright tickled by this splendid honor, on the centenary year of his birth.”

The stamp features a black-and-white portrait of Buckley based on a photograph taken by Steve Schapiro in the 1960s. Artist Dale Stephanos used graphite and charcoal on hot-press watercolor paper. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

The Forever stamp is available in sheets of 20 at Post Offices and on usps.com.

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The latest episode of “Mailin’ It!,” the USPS podcast, discusses how the Postal Inspection Service uses technology to prevent crime and protect mail, packages and postal employees.

The guests are Buck Buckley, the Inspection Service’s special assistant for strategic initiatives, and Bob Dixon, the Postal Service’s delivery and retail modernization senior director.

The 28-minute episode was released Sept. 9 and is available on Link and other postal websites, as well as most podcast platforms.