Thursday, June 6, 2024
Don’t let scammers reel you in
How to spot — and avoid — phishing schemes
The Postal Inspection Service is warning USPS employees and the public of an identity theft scam to steal sensitive information, known as phishing.
The scammers use emails, text messages or websites that appear to come from trusted sources, such as banks, online retailers or social media companies.
These messages typically contain urgent requests or enticing offers with a prompt to click on a link and provide personal information. If you take the bait, criminals could use your data to commit identity fraud for their financial gain.
Here are some tips from the Inspection Service to avoid getting caught in the phishing net:
• Think before you click: Be skeptical of unsolicited emails and texts with a link that asks for personal information.
• Check the sender: Look closely at the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers use addresses that mimic real ones, but there are differences.
• Look for red flags: Read the messages carefully. Often, there are spelling or grammatical errors. The urgent language is also an indicator something fishy is going on.
• Secure your devices: Install and keep antivirus and anti-phishing software up to date to help protect against phishing attacks.
The Inspection Service is promoting identity fraud awareness throughout June. The agency’s website has more information.
Along for the rides
Carnival Nights stamps are here
The Postal Service will celebrate one of the nation’s favorite pastimes with the release of Carnival Nights stamps on Thursday, June 6.
The stamps feature 10 images that convey the energy and color of a summer carnival after the sun goes down. Various rides are shown in vibrant neon hues against a night sky.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs.
Carnival Nights stamps will be available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
The stamps will be dedicated during a ceremony at the South Mississippi Summer Fair in Biloxi on June 6.
Additionally, USPS will brand a North American Midway Entertainment Ferris wheel with a Carnival Nights stamps banner at the fair.
The wheel will then travel to four fairs throughout the summer: the Marion County Fair in Indianapolis (Friday, June 28, to Sunday, July 7); the Northern Wisconsin State Fair in Chippewa Falls (Wednesday, July 10, to Sunday, July 14); the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis (Friday, Aug. 2, to Sunday, Aug. 18); and the Du Quoin State Fair in Du Quoin, IL (Friday, Aug. 23, to Monday, Sept. 2).
June 13, 2024
Datebook
PSHB virtual seminar
USPS employees and annuitants may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.
The session will be held Thursday, June 13, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern and from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern.
PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
USPS employees, annuitants, and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program.
The MyHR website’s PSHB page has more information, including the Zoom links and passcodes to participate. To find the page, enter “Postal Service Health Benefits” in the MyHR search bar.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees can also receive updates by texting “PSHBP” to 39369.
June 13, 2024
Datebook
‘Medicare + FEHB Program’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar that will examine how Medicare works with the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.
The session, “Medicare + FEHB Program,” will be held Thursday, June 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from GEHA, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees who have questions can email the Benefits and Wellness team.
WestPac Area, Michigan 2 District on top in scanning
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 97.21 percent during the week ending May 29, down 0.26 percent from one week earlier.
The data was collected June 5.
WestPac led the four areas with a rating of 97.71 percent, while Southern ranked last with a 96.27 percent rating.
Among the 50 districts, Michigan 2, part of Central Area, ranked first with a 98.49 percent rating, while Georgia, part of Southern Area, ranked last with a 93.29 percent rating.
Scanning data allows customers to track their mail and packages, which helps USPS deliver excellent service, boost loyalty and drive revenue.
To see the latest data, go to the Informed Visibility website and select “Customer Experience,” followed by “DES 2 Scan Performance.” Postal Service employees must request Informed Visibility access through eAccess.