Thursday, January 23, 2025
USPS to sell redesigned money orders
The new look will enhance current security features
The Postal Service will introduce redesigned money orders in February.
The new design will enhance already strong security features to further deter counterfeiting and other fraudulent activities.
The current — or “legacy” — money orders will be sold until stock is depleted.
The redesigned money orders feature a new bank routing number and are red, white and blue, replacing the green, yellow and purple design of the current money orders.
The new money orders will be phased into circulation and will eventually be available at all Post Offices.
Both money order designs will be accepted at Post Offices and financial institutions as trusted forms of payment.
The redesigned money orders have watermarks, a security thread and a QR code that directs users to usps.com.
More information is available at usps.com on the Sending Money Orders page, including verification information under the “Receiving Money Orders — How to Spot a Fake” heading.
If a customer suspects fraud, they should call the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. If a customer believes that they have been given a fake money order, they should call the Money Order Verification System at 866-459-7822 or go to the Check Money Order Status page on usps.com.
Off the Clock
She’s known to drop the mic
This employee competes on a karaoke team as a way to keep singing
My name is Brandy Freeman and I’m a graphic designer and brand coordinator at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC.
I joined the organization in 2022. While my job provides a daily creative outlet, I have another passion in my downtime — performing in karaoke team competitions.
After college, I found myself without a singing outlet until I checked out a karaoke meetup. The organizer heard me sing and suggested I join District Karaoke, a social team-based league.
Much like sports leagues, there are weekly competitions against other teams. My team works our song selections around the theme, and we also create a story concept. We’re all very involved — we wear costumes and design props for performances.
Some recent performance themes included only songs written in the 1950s and ’60s. I sang “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ ” and it turned out to be a great number. Another recent theme was a jukebox challenge in which we were to select one artist and tell a story using three of their songs. We chose David Bowie.
Teams face off against one another in the league by performing three rounds — the first and second consist of either a solo, duet or trio and the third is a full group number where everyone on a team can participate.
I tell people who are interested in trying it out it’s not so much about singing the best; well-performed, unique song choices and concepts often win over tried-and-true karaoke tunes. For example, while “Sweet Caroline” is a popular go-to karaoke classic often performed to a crowd’s delight, District Karaoke teams have to be much more creative to snag the audience votes needed to win.
Being on a karaoke team has given me the ability to spread my wings and go with the flow musically. I love the energy of the crowd and the rush I get when performing these often zany concepts.
After finding the karaoke community, I have become more confident and secure in myself. Performing with my team has given me such joy. It’s a rush.
“Off the Clock,” a column on Postal Service employees and their after-hours pursuits, appears regularly in Link.
January 30, 2025
Datebook
Allen Toussaint stamp ceremony
The Postal Service will dedicate its Black Heritage stamp honoring Allen Toussaint on Thursday, Jan. 30, in New Orleans.
The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Eastern at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St.
The speakers will include Gary Barksdale, the Postal Inspection Service’s chief postal inspector.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online.
WestPac Area, Washington District lead in scanning
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.55 percent during the week ending Jan. 17, down 1.14 percent from one week earlier.
The data was collected Jan. 22.
WestPac led the four areas with a rating of 97.43 percent, while Central ranked last with a 95.88 percent rating.
Among the 50 districts, Washington, part of WestPac Area, ranked first with a 98.01 percent rating, while Louisiana, part of Southern Area, ranked last with a 90.78 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.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
-
USPS to sell redesigned money orders
The new look will enhance current security features
-
Off the Clock
She’s known to drop the mic
This employee competes on a karaoke team as a way to keep singing
-
January30Datebook
Allen Toussaint stamp ceremony
-
Brief
WestPac Area, Washington District lead in scanning