United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office General Government Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-05-26 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:GGD-94-148 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GGD-94-148 P0b002ee1803a4bf0 f:gg94148 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-GGD-94-148 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GGD-94-148 GGD-94-148 Losses Postal service Program management Mail fraud Crimes or offenses Internal controls Franking privileges Law enforcement Investigations by federal agencies Office equipment Letter Report GGD In 1993 the Postmaster General disclosed publicly that meter fraud had caused significant revenue losses. GAO concludes that sustained management attention to controls over metered mail is needed to reduce the potential for substantial revenue losses to the Postal Service. Metered mail represents about 46 cents of every dollar the Postal Service collects in postage. Meters are used to print postage, which is a marketable, liquid asset. Much of the control over meter activities, however, resides with meter manufacturers. The Postal Service recognizes that it needs to gain greater control over meters and is trying to do so through several initiatives, including improving aspects of the meter program, such as meter technology, meter licensing, and the identification of lost and stolen meters. These efforts appear to have the potential for improving the meter program in the long run. However, the effectiveness of the meter program depends on management's sustained attention to substantially reducing the risk of meter fraud. This includes maintaining accountability for meter program operations, ensuring that the technology and security used in meters are effective, and working to establish and maintain an adequate system of controls for deterring and detecting meter fraud. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GGD-94-148/html/GAOREPORTS-GGD-94-148.htm GAO/GGD-94-148 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GGD-94-148 Letter Report GAO/GGD-94-148; Postage Meters: Risk of Significant Financial Loss But Controls Are Being Strengthened; Losses Postal service Program management Mail fraud Crimes or offenses Internal controls Franking privileges Law enforcement Investigations by federal agencies Office equipment