Postal Service Inflates Mail Violation Fines to Match Inflation
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 17, 2025, the Postal Service is raising fines for breaking mail and consumer protection rules to keep up with inflation. This means anyone who messes with mail rules or makes false claims could face bigger penalties. These changes happen every year to make sure fines stay fair and effective.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 8 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher Fines for False Representations
For false representations and lottery mail under 39 U.S.C. 3012(a), penalties increase effective January 17, 2025 to $90,709 for each mailing under 50,000 pieces, $181,414 for mailings of 50,000 to 100,000 pieces, and $18,142 for each additional 10,000 pieces above 100,000 not to exceed $3,628,298.
In-Lieu Penalties for Mail Orders Increased
Under 39 U.S.C. 3012(c)(1), penalties assessed in lieu of or as part of an administrative order increase to $45,354 for mailings under 50,000 pieces, $90,709 for 50,000 to 100,000 pieces, and $9,072 for each additional 10,000 pieces above 100,000 not to exceed $1,814,150, effective January 17, 2025.
Higher Cap for Misuse of 'Do-Not-Mail' Lists
Under 39 U.S.C. 3017(g)(2), the maximum penalty for providing information about individuals who elected not to receive sweepstakes or contest mail increases to a cap of $3,628,298 per violation, effective January 17, 2025.
Hazardous-Material Mailing Penalties Up
For knowingly mailing nonmailable hazardous materials or failing to follow hazardous mailing laws under 39 U.S.C. 3018(c)(1)(A), the minimum penalty increases to at least $393 and the maximum increases to $156,422 per violation, effective January 17, 2025.
Annual Inflation Adjustment Applied
Starting January 17, 2025, the Postal Service is applying an annual inflation adjustment to its civil monetary penalties using an OMB multiplier of 1.02598 based on the CPI-U. The adjustments are published annually and rounded to the nearest dollar so covered penalties increase each year.
Higher Penalty for Misleading Government References
The penalty for deceptive mailings that falsely claim U.S. Government connection or approval under 39 U.S.C. 3012(d) increases to $18,142 per mailing, effective January 17, 2025.
Reckless Sweepstakes Mailing Penalty Raised
The penalty for recklessly mailing nonmailable skill contest or sweepstakes matter under 39 U.S.C. 3017(h)(1)(A) increases to $18,142 per violation, effective January 17, 2025.
False-Claim Administrative Penalty Increased
Under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act as implemented in 39 CFR part 273, the administrative penalty for false claims or written statements increases from $13,946 to $14,308 per claim or statement, effective January 17, 2025.
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