So they are not as flashy as Batman or as strong as Superman… but the Inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service are an integral aspect of keeping the postal system and U.S. mail customers safe. Postal Inspectors conduct investigations that lead to millions of dollars saved from fraudulent mailing practices. They use state-of-the-art screening equipment to check packages for hazardous or suspicious material.In the event of a natural disaster, Postal Inspectors stand ready with 18 mail screening stations and mobile command vehicles to help ensure the postal system stays safe and operational.

Think there’s not much crime going on in the mail realm these days?Think again: in 2013, Postal Inspectors conducted 12,470 investigations related to security, crime and the prevention of crime.

Here are just a few of the ways Postal Inspectors have kept us safe and postal costs down:

investigated mail use and the child sexploitation industry; this project resulted in multiple arrests and 341 children were rescued from being further victimized.

deactivation of almost 99,000 fraudulent Click-N-Ship accounts, preventing the loss of more than $20 million in revenue for the Postal System.

located and retrieved about $3 million of misused and misappropriated postal equipment.

seized and destroyed 1.6 foreign lottery mailings aimed at defrauding U.S. customers.

intercepted 35,000 counterfeit postal money orders mailed to U.S. customers from criminals overseas.

Postal Inspectors educate the public about fraud prevention through the media and presentations. In 2014, Postal Inspectors were at more than 300 events informing customers about the dangers of foreign lottery scams. They also work with many crime prevention groups such as national and state terrorism task forces and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.