USPS Tightens Purse Strings on Official Agency Credit Cards, Following Abuse

U.S. Postal Service employees have been misusing and abusing their official credit cards, and agency management has taken notice.

After multiple reports in the last few months of USPS employees using their agency credit cards for non-work purposes -- including for gambling, groceries and eating out even when they’re not on work trips -- postal officials have announced major changes to travel card policy.

Effective July 14, the Postal Service will lower the credit limit on travel cards to $1 for employees who have not used the card in the last two years. Employees can have their limits brought back up by contacting their local travel card coordinator and showing proof of upcoming travel.

In May, USPS prohibited postal supervisors from taking cash advances on their agency-issued cards. The change went into effect on May 2 for officers and Postal Career Executive Service employees and May 15 for Executive and Administrative Service workers.

“The change is being implemented because employees already use their cards to pay for most travel expenses and no longer need cash advances for expenses made when they’re traveling on business,” USPS said in a memorandum announcing the change. “In addition, research by the travel card provider and other companies revealed cash advances no longer are a standard component of travel card programs.”

In addition to these changes, the Postal Service has said in response to an inspector general report it will develop guidance for travel card supervisors to “follow to effectively monitor travel card activity on a monthly basis.” 

(Image via Alix Kreil/Shutterstock.com)