A Romance Scam Turns Tragic - A Postal Inspection Service True Crime Story

This week on Mailin’ It!, Karla Kirby and Jonathan Castillo welcome back Eric Shen, Inspector in Charge at the Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. With the holiday season in full swing, Eric sheds light on the Postal Inspection Service’s 2024 holiday scams awareness campaign, “Don’t Get Snowed by Holiday Scams,” which focuses on protecting USPS customers and employees during the busiest time of the year. Tune in to hear Eric break down the top scams targeting customers, including counterfeit stamps, phishing and smishing schemes, and mail theft, while sharing actionable advice to protect yourself and your loved ones.

This week on Mailin’ It!, Karla and Jonathan are joined by Sheila Holman, USPS VP of Marketing, to discuss the Postal Service’s 2024 holiday season preparations. Sheila shares details about this year’s “Holiday Ride” campaign, showcasing USPS’s modernization efforts and its impact on mail and package delivery. The episode also highlights festive new stamps, Operation Santa updates (including a Toys“R”Us collaboration), and key shipping deadlines. Whether you’re sending cards, gifts, or still planning your holiday shipments, this episode offers helpful tips and a behind-the-scenes look at how USPS ensures a smooth and joyful holiday experience for everyone.

This week on Mailin’ It, Karla and Jonathan are joined by Juan Nadal, USPS Executive Director of Strategic Sales & Account Initiatives. Juan discusses the Postal Service’s efforts to streamline package delivery and the broader impact the network transformation will have, giving USPS the tools to support the evolving shipping needs of major retail partners and everyday customers alike. Learn how these advancements are helping USPS compete and what the future holds for customer-focused initiatives like USPS Connect eCommerce and Informed Delivery integration. For shipping professionals or anyone curious about USPS's modern approach to delivery, tune in for a fascinating look at the Postal Service’s efficient customer-focused future.

This week on Mailin' It, Karla and Jonathan are joined by Margaret Pepe, the Postal Service’s Executive Director of Product Solutions, to discuss the enduring relevance of direct mail in today's digital marketing landscape. As digital ads increasingly flood social media, email, and websites, direct mail offers a tangible, trustworthy, and less overwhelming alternative. Margaret shares how mail creates lasting impressions, often remaining in homes long after digital messages are forgotten. Tune in to discover USPS’s latest innovations and learn how marketers are combining direct mail with digital strategies to maximize engagement.

This week on Mailin’ It, Karla and Jonathan speak with retired Postal Inspector Natalie Reda about a tragic case of romance fraud that shocked investigators. Laura Kowal, a retired hospital executive, fell victim to an online romance scam, losing $1.5 million before her suspicious death in 2020. Natalie walks us through the investigation, revealing how the scam was connected to a larger fraud network and how law enforcement traced the money. The episode sheds light on the tactics used by scammers, the emotional toll on victims, and steps listeners can take to protect themselves from similar scams. If you or someone you know is active in online dating, this episode is essential listening to stay informed and safe.

This week on Mailin' It, we’re joined by Bob Dixon, USPS Director of Product Technology Innovation. Bob discusses his journey into technology and his role in the Postal Service's digital transformation, from pioneering Informed Delivery to addressing new challenges like mail theft. He provides an inside look at how his team is developing advanced keys and high-security electronic locks to protect collection boxes and ensure safe mail delivery. Tune in as Bob shares his insights on leadership and his approach to solving complex challenges, all while keeping USPS at the forefront of innovation.

This week on Mailin' It, Karla and Jonathan are joined by Adrienne Marshall, the Executive Director for Election and Government Mail Services at USPS. As the nation gears up for the 2024 elections, Adrienne provides an in-depth look at how the Postal Service is preparing to process, transport, and deliver Election Mail, including ballots, voter registration cards, and polling place notifications. The episode explores the history of voting by mail, the difference between election mail and political mail, the specialized measures in place to ensure that every mail-in ballot is handled securely and efficiently, and more! Whether you’re a voter or just curious about how the process works, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the USPS’s role in the election process.

This week on Mailin' It, we’re joined by the Director of Fleet Management, Justin Glass, who takes us behind the scenes of the epic effort USPS is taking to modernize its vehicle fleet. Discover the strategic planning and innovative design choices that are driving this transformation. Join us to learn about the newly designed Next Generation Delivery Vehicles which promise enhanced safety, better ergonomics, lower emissions, and double the cargo space.

This week on Mailin' It, we’re joined by Postal Inspector Clayton Gerber to discuss the Inspection Service’s role in breaking up one of the largest fraud schemes in U.S. history. From dumpster diving to find evidence to international extraditions during the height of the pandemic, the team's relentless pursuit to uncover the truth is nothing short of extraordinary. Grab your detective hat and join us for an eye-opening journey into the world of postal crime and learn how the Postal Inspection Service is working tirelessly to safeguard the public from fraudsters.

This week on Mailin' It, we’re joined by Linda DeCarlo, Senior Director of Occupational Safety and Health, to discuss the critical issue of dog attacks on postal workers and the Postal Service’s 2024 Dog Bite Awareness campaign. We explore innovative strategies designed to protect mail carriers, including mobile delivery devices that alert them to potentially dangerous canines at specific addresses. Plus, we detail the steps dog owners can take to ensure smooth and safe mail delivery. Tune in to learn how the Postal Service and the community can work together to reduce dog-related incidents and create a safer working environment.