PHISHING OFF THE GULF COAST
Scam artists targeting Katrina donors
The Gulf Coast is known as one of the great fishing areas in the United States. Now, because of some unscrupulous Internet scam artists, it’s becoming one of the great phishing areas of the United States.
Phishing involves thieves hiding behind seemingly legitimate websites or e-mail addresses and trying to obtain your personal information — information they can use to make unauthorized withdrawals from your bank account, pay for online purchases using your credit card or even sell your identity to other thieves.
This latest version of phishing is playing on America’s concern for Hurricane Katrina victims. USPS employees are being sent e-mails from a site claiming to be the American Red Cross. It isn’t. When you click on the included link, you are taken to a site in China where you are urged to make donations in any amount from $25 to $5,000.
Unfortunately, it’s a scam. Instead of the money going to help Katrina victims, it’s going into the pockets of thieves.
Security experts recommend that you don’t respond to online requests for money. Since phishing attacks impact our infrastructure, there are some technical countermeasures that Information Technology is using to mitigate them. All questionable e-mail should be sent to USPSCIRT at abuse@usps.gov and to the OIG’s Financial Fraud Unit at: financialfraud@uspsoig.gov.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
ALL CHANGES OF ADDRESS CONSIDERED
ALL CHANGES OF ADDRESS CONSIDERED
PMG emphasizes ongoing COAs for displaced customers
In a national radio interview yesterday, Postmaster General Jack Potter reminded customers displaced by Hurricane Katrina of the importance of filing Changes of Address (COAs) no matter how many times they relocate.
Houston Retail Associate Jackie Walker-Mack helps a woman at the George R. Brown Convention Center hurricane shelter file a Change of Address. PMG Jack Potter emphasized it’s critical for residents to file COAs.
Speaking on National Public Radio’s “All Things
Considered,” Potter explained how the Postal Automation Redirection System lets mail bypass the Gulf Coast area to reach a customer’s new location.
“They may move multiple times but we would like them to give us the information each and every time they move,” Potter said, “so the mail can follow them as they relocate.” He noted the three options to file COAs: USPS.com, 1-800-ASK-USPS or at any Post Office.
Potter also paid tribute to USPS employees who quickly came back to work — even those who lost homes themselves. “I’m very proud of the folks who find themselves in locations outside of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who have come to local Post Offices and told us that they want to work wherever they are,” he said.
“I’m very proud of all of our people. It’s an amazing story about the loyalty and dedication of our workforce and how they’ve risen to the occasion.”
PMG emphasizes ongoing COAs for displaced customers
In a national radio interview yesterday, Postmaster General Jack Potter reminded customers displaced by Hurricane Katrina of the importance of filing Changes of Address (COAs) no matter how many times they relocate.
Houston Retail Associate Jackie Walker-Mack helps a woman at the George R. Brown Convention Center hurricane shelter file a Change of Address. PMG Jack Potter emphasized it’s critical for residents to file COAs.
Speaking on National Public Radio’s “All Things
Considered,” Potter explained how the Postal Automation Redirection System lets mail bypass the Gulf Coast area to reach a customer’s new location.
“They may move multiple times but we would like them to give us the information each and every time they move,” Potter said, “so the mail can follow them as they relocate.” He noted the three options to file COAs: USPS.com, 1-800-ASK-USPS or at any Post Office.
Potter also paid tribute to USPS employees who quickly came back to work — even those who lost homes themselves. “I’m very proud of the folks who find themselves in locations outside of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who have come to local Post Offices and told us that they want to work wherever they are,” he said.
“I’m very proud of all of our people. It’s an amazing story about the loyalty and dedication of our workforce and how they’ve risen to the occasion.”
USPS: Hurricane RITA Update
Hurricane Rita
South Florida District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 11:30 a.m.)
All Post Offices in ZIP Code areas 330, 331, 332 and 333 are closed today due to Hurricane Rita.
At 8 a.m. ET, the center of the storm was located about 100 miles east-southeast of Key West, FL.
Hurricane Rita is moving between west-northwest at 15 mph with hurricane force winds extending outward up to 120 miles from the center. Rita’s center is expected to pass near the lower Florida Keys around midday today.
South Florida District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 11:30 a.m.)
All Post Offices in ZIP Code areas 330, 331, 332 and 333 are closed today due to Hurricane Rita.
At 8 a.m. ET, the center of the storm was located about 100 miles east-southeast of Key West, FL.
Hurricane Rita is moving between west-northwest at 15 mph with hurricane force winds extending outward up to 120 miles from the center. Rita’s center is expected to pass near the lower Florida Keys around midday today.
USPS: Hurricane Katrina District Updates
Louisiana District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 10 a.m.)
New Orleans Processing and Distribution Center operations remain suspended until further notice. Retail and delivery services remain suspended for most Post Offices in the City of New Orleans (701 ZIP Code range — with the exception of 70123 which has partial services available). Retail and delivery services also remain suspended for the following offices and ZIP Codes, primarily to the south and east of New Orleans: Arabi (70032); Braithwaite (70040); Buras (70041); Chalmette (70043); Meraux (70075); Port Sulphur (70083); Saint Bernard, (70085); Venice (70091); Violet (70092); and Grand Isle (70358).
Partial service is available at: Metairie (70001, 70002, 70003, 70005, 70006); Barataria (70036); Belle Chasse (70037); Gretna (70053, 70056); Harvey (70058); Kenner (70062, 70065); La Place (70068); Marrero (70072); Saint Rose (70087); Westwego (70094); Covington (70433, 70435); Slidell (70458, 70460, 70461); Varnado (70467) and Mandeville (70471) and New Orleans (70123).
All other Louisiana offices are unaffected or have returned to full service.
Drop shipments destined for ZIP Code 703 will now be accepted in Baton Rouge Sectional Center Facility 707 until further notice.
Mississippi District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 10 a.m.)
Partial services are available at the following Mississippi offices: Gulfport (39501, 39507); Bay St. Louis (39520); Stennis Space Center (39529); Biloxi (39530); Gautier (39553); Kiln (39556); Pascagoula (39567); Pass Christian (39571); Pearlington (39572) and Waveland (39576).
All other Mississippi offices are unaffected or have returned to full service.
Drop shipments to the Gulfport Plant and any delivery and retail units in ZIP Codes 395 are suspended until further notice.
Drop shipments are resumed by appointment only in ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394 and 396. Drop shipments for these zones will not be accepted without appointments.
Alabama District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 10 a.m.)
Partial services are available at the following Alabama offices: Bayou La Batre (36509); Dauphin Island (36528); Mobile (ZIP Codes 36602, 36604, 36605, 36606, 36607, 36608, 36609, 36610, 36611, 36615, 36617, 36618, 36619, 36693 and 36695) and Eight Mile (36613).
All other Alabama offices are unaffected or have returned to full service.
The Mobile Processing and Distribution Center will accept drop shipments by appointment only for zones 365 & 366. Drop shipments for these zones will not be accepted without appointments.
New Orleans Processing and Distribution Center operations remain suspended until further notice. Retail and delivery services remain suspended for most Post Offices in the City of New Orleans (701 ZIP Code range — with the exception of 70123 which has partial services available). Retail and delivery services also remain suspended for the following offices and ZIP Codes, primarily to the south and east of New Orleans: Arabi (70032); Braithwaite (70040); Buras (70041); Chalmette (70043); Meraux (70075); Port Sulphur (70083); Saint Bernard, (70085); Venice (70091); Violet (70092); and Grand Isle (70358).
Partial service is available at: Metairie (70001, 70002, 70003, 70005, 70006); Barataria (70036); Belle Chasse (70037); Gretna (70053, 70056); Harvey (70058); Kenner (70062, 70065); La Place (70068); Marrero (70072); Saint Rose (70087); Westwego (70094); Covington (70433, 70435); Slidell (70458, 70460, 70461); Varnado (70467) and Mandeville (70471) and New Orleans (70123).
All other Louisiana offices are unaffected or have returned to full service.
Drop shipments destined for ZIP Code 703 will now be accepted in Baton Rouge Sectional Center Facility 707 until further notice.
Mississippi District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 10 a.m.)
Partial services are available at the following Mississippi offices: Gulfport (39501, 39507); Bay St. Louis (39520); Stennis Space Center (39529); Biloxi (39530); Gautier (39553); Kiln (39556); Pascagoula (39567); Pass Christian (39571); Pearlington (39572) and Waveland (39576).
All other Mississippi offices are unaffected or have returned to full service.
Drop shipments to the Gulfport Plant and any delivery and retail units in ZIP Codes 395 are suspended until further notice.
Drop shipments are resumed by appointment only in ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394 and 396. Drop shipments for these zones will not be accepted without appointments.
Alabama District (Current as of 9/20/05 - 10 a.m.)
Partial services are available at the following Alabama offices: Bayou La Batre (36509); Dauphin Island (36528); Mobile (ZIP Codes 36602, 36604, 36605, 36606, 36607, 36608, 36609, 36610, 36611, 36615, 36617, 36618, 36619, 36693 and 36695) and Eight Mile (36613).
All other Alabama offices are unaffected or have returned to full service.
The Mobile Processing and Distribution Center will accept drop shipments by appointment only for zones 365 & 366. Drop shipments for these zones will not be accepted without appointments.
Express Mail embargo to ZIP Code 395 lifted.
Express Mail embargo to ZIP Code 395 lifted.
The Postal Service is now accepting Express Mail destined for ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394, 395 and 396.
However, the suspension of Express Mail to ZIP Codes 700, 701 and 704 remains in effect.
The suspension of Standard Mail (Letters and Flats) and Periodicals Mail destined for ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394, 396 and 704 has been lifted, but remains in effect for ZIP Codes 395, 700, and 701.
Drop shipment appointments to ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394, 396 and 704 are being accepted — but appointments are required before any drop shipments can occur.
The Postal Service is now accepting Express Mail destined for ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394, 395 and 396.
However, the suspension of Express Mail to ZIP Codes 700, 701 and 704 remains in effect.
The suspension of Standard Mail (Letters and Flats) and Periodicals Mail destined for ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394, 396 and 704 has been lifted, but remains in effect for ZIP Codes 395, 700, and 701.
Drop shipment appointments to ZIP Codes 369, 393, 394, 396 and 704 are being accepted — but appointments are required before any drop shipments can occur.
Social Security Administration requests return of unclaimed/undelivered Mississippi and Louisiana checks.
Social Security Administration requests return of unclaimed/undelivered Mississippi and Louisiana checks.
At the request of the Social Security Administration, the Postal Service is returning unclaimed and undelivered Louisiana and Mississippi Social Security checks to the Department of the Treasury today. USPS established special pick up locations at facilities in both states for residents who, because of the storm, couldn’t receive delivery. As a result of the request, special pick up service at those locations is not available after today, Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Recipients with questions regarding their checks should contact the Social Security Administration directly.
At the request of the Social Security Administration, the Postal Service is returning unclaimed and undelivered Louisiana and Mississippi Social Security checks to the Department of the Treasury today. USPS established special pick up locations at facilities in both states for residents who, because of the storm, couldn’t receive delivery. As a result of the request, special pick up service at those locations is not available after today, Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Recipients with questions regarding their checks should contact the Social Security Administration directly.
USPS: BOARD OF GOVERNORS TO MEET SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS TO MEET SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
WASHINGTON - The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will meet in Washington, DC, at Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, on September 27, 2005.
The public is welcome to observe board deliberations that are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Ben Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board expects to discuss the following items:
Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.
1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting, August 1-2, 2005
2. Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO John E. Potter
3. Committee Reports
4. Board of Governors Calendar Year 2006 Meeting Schedule - Chairman Jim Miller
5. Office of the Governors Fiscal Year 2006 Budget - Chairman Miller
6. Postal Rate Commission Fiscal Year 2006 Budget - Chairman Miller
7. Fiscal Year 2006 Operating and Capital Plans - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Richard J. Strasser, Jr.
8. Strategic Transformation Plan 2006-2010 - Chairman Miller
9. Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Performance Plan - Government Performance and Results Act - Chairman Miller
10. Capital Investment - San Juan, Puerto Rico, Processing and Distribution Center - Facilities Vice President Rudy Umscheid
11. Tentative Agenda for the November 1, 2005, meeting in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON - The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will meet in Washington, DC, at Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, on September 27, 2005.
The public is welcome to observe board deliberations that are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Ben Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board expects to discuss the following items:
Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.
1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting, August 1-2, 2005
2. Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO John E. Potter
3. Committee Reports
4. Board of Governors Calendar Year 2006 Meeting Schedule - Chairman Jim Miller
5. Office of the Governors Fiscal Year 2006 Budget - Chairman Miller
6. Postal Rate Commission Fiscal Year 2006 Budget - Chairman Miller
7. Fiscal Year 2006 Operating and Capital Plans - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Richard J. Strasser, Jr.
8. Strategic Transformation Plan 2006-2010 - Chairman Miller
9. Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Performance Plan - Government Performance and Results Act - Chairman Miller
10. Capital Investment - San Juan, Puerto Rico, Processing and Distribution Center - Facilities Vice President Rudy Umscheid
11. Tentative Agenda for the November 1, 2005, meeting in Washington, D.C.
ONLINE CREDIT CARD CONSUMERS PREFER THE MESSAGE IN THE MAILBOX
ONLINE CREDIT CARD CONSUMERS PREFER THE MESSAGE IN THE MAILBOX
Study reveals mail as top driver of traffic to online credit card applications
Washington, DC - Today's online credit card applicants are more plugged into what's in their mailbox than what's in their inbox, according to a national report released today.
Despite developing trends in online marketing, the findings of a recent study conducted by comScore Networks for the U.S. Postal Service reveal that most consumers still prefer and respond more strongly to one of the oldest, most traditional forms of marketing — direct mail.
According to the 2005 "Multi-Channel Credit Card Acquisition Study," direct mail is a key factor in determining the online behavior of consumers and mail is the number one driver of traffic to online credit card applications. CIBC World Markets, a research firm specializing in corporate, government and institutional investor clients, reported that mail was responsible for more than 13 million of the nearly 35 million online credit card applications last year — over one-third of all online applications.
"The financial services industry has been very successful in developing an online credit card application model and our new study provides some great examples of how mail and the Internet work extremely well together in multi-channel marketing," noted Anita Bizzotto, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President for the U.S. Postal Service. "In our recent multi-channel catalog study, we learned that catalogs drive online sales. Now we have verification that other direct mail has a positive effect on Internet sales as well."
comScore Networks observed the actual online behavior of more than 1 million consumers and administered a pop-up survey to more than 2,400 online credit card applicants at various credit card company web sites. The study was designed to quantify the benefits of direct mail versus online marketing tools such as e-mail and banner ads, measure consumer attitudes about direct mail and online marketing and assess the impact of direct mail credit card solicitations on the quality, loyalty and volume of online credit card applicants.
"This research clearly shows that there is a powerful correlation between the marketing messages that consumers receive in the mailbox and their resulting online behavior," said Linda Abraham, executive vice president of comScore Networks. "Mail is the most effective marketing medium in terms of influencing consumers to apply for a credit card online and the Internet provides a strong fulfillment channel."
Other highlights from the Multi-Channel Credit Card Acquisition Study include the following:
Consumers have a stated preference for mail
70% of all consumers, 69% of prospects and 74% of existing customers open and read a credit card offer when delivered via mail
Consumers (including customers and prospects) prefer to receive credit card offers in the mail rather than electronically, over the Internet
Of all consumers, existing customers are most likely to open and read a credit card offer
65% of consumers read more of the credit card offers they receive in their mailbox rather than over the Internet
Consumers (including customers and prospects) are most likely to open and read credit card offers that are received via mail
Mail delivers higher quality, more committed applicants
Mail drives the most credit card application initiations and consumers influenced by mail have the highest application conversion rate
Consumers receiving mail are more likely to submit an online application
Consumers receiving mail are less likely to competitively shop for other offers
Mail prompts consumers to action
In 2004, direct mail drove more than 13 million prospects to an application and 77% of these prospects completed and submitted the application online
Mail is even more influential among prospects and non-shoppers than current customers
Mail drives non-customers into the online channel and influences prospects to complete the credit card application more than online marketing media
Direct mail drove 18.5 million application initiations and 70% of those completed and submitted the application
Consumers receiving mail are more likely to complete the application
61% of consumers respond more to credit card offers they receive in their mailbox than over the Internet
Consumers respond more to credit card offers received via mail
Regardless of credit risk segment or income level, the majority of consumers driven to apply for a credit card online are responding to mail
Study reveals mail as top driver of traffic to online credit card applications
Washington, DC - Today's online credit card applicants are more plugged into what's in their mailbox than what's in their inbox, according to a national report released today.
Despite developing trends in online marketing, the findings of a recent study conducted by comScore Networks for the U.S. Postal Service reveal that most consumers still prefer and respond more strongly to one of the oldest, most traditional forms of marketing — direct mail.
According to the 2005 "Multi-Channel Credit Card Acquisition Study," direct mail is a key factor in determining the online behavior of consumers and mail is the number one driver of traffic to online credit card applications. CIBC World Markets, a research firm specializing in corporate, government and institutional investor clients, reported that mail was responsible for more than 13 million of the nearly 35 million online credit card applications last year — over one-third of all online applications.
"The financial services industry has been very successful in developing an online credit card application model and our new study provides some great examples of how mail and the Internet work extremely well together in multi-channel marketing," noted Anita Bizzotto, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President for the U.S. Postal Service. "In our recent multi-channel catalog study, we learned that catalogs drive online sales. Now we have verification that other direct mail has a positive effect on Internet sales as well."
comScore Networks observed the actual online behavior of more than 1 million consumers and administered a pop-up survey to more than 2,400 online credit card applicants at various credit card company web sites. The study was designed to quantify the benefits of direct mail versus online marketing tools such as e-mail and banner ads, measure consumer attitudes about direct mail and online marketing and assess the impact of direct mail credit card solicitations on the quality, loyalty and volume of online credit card applicants.
"This research clearly shows that there is a powerful correlation between the marketing messages that consumers receive in the mailbox and their resulting online behavior," said Linda Abraham, executive vice president of comScore Networks. "Mail is the most effective marketing medium in terms of influencing consumers to apply for a credit card online and the Internet provides a strong fulfillment channel."
Other highlights from the Multi-Channel Credit Card Acquisition Study include the following:
Consumers have a stated preference for mail
70% of all consumers, 69% of prospects and 74% of existing customers open and read a credit card offer when delivered via mail
Consumers (including customers and prospects) prefer to receive credit card offers in the mail rather than electronically, over the Internet
Of all consumers, existing customers are most likely to open and read a credit card offer
65% of consumers read more of the credit card offers they receive in their mailbox rather than over the Internet
Consumers (including customers and prospects) are most likely to open and read credit card offers that are received via mail
Mail delivers higher quality, more committed applicants
Mail drives the most credit card application initiations and consumers influenced by mail have the highest application conversion rate
Consumers receiving mail are more likely to submit an online application
Consumers receiving mail are less likely to competitively shop for other offers
Mail prompts consumers to action
In 2004, direct mail drove more than 13 million prospects to an application and 77% of these prospects completed and submitted the application online
Mail is even more influential among prospects and non-shoppers than current customers
Mail drives non-customers into the online channel and influences prospects to complete the credit card application more than online marketing media
Direct mail drove 18.5 million application initiations and 70% of those completed and submitted the application
Consumers receiving mail are more likely to complete the application
61% of consumers respond more to credit card offers they receive in their mailbox than over the Internet
Consumers respond more to credit card offers received via mail
Regardless of credit risk segment or income level, the majority of consumers driven to apply for a credit card online are responding to mail
USPS: Service Update 9-20-05
SERVICE UPDATE. Delivery service has been restored to 86% of affected Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana addresses, with full service available at 427 Post Offices and partial service at 53 Offices. Check the “heat map” on USPS.com for the latest information. Nearly 140,000 households in ZIP Codes 700 and 701 have now filed Changes of Address with USPS.
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