Monday, April 12, 2010

PRIVACY 101: Never receive mail at your home address.


This is not only the first step on the route to privacy, it is one of the easiest. Also one of the most economical so if you haven’t already done so, start today.

The problem with a PO Box is that the USPS will not accept shipments from FedEx or UPS. Therefore, check the Yellow Pages under MAILBOXES. Look for a small Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) if possible. If not, as a last resort, rent a box at a UPS Store. (I don’t like them because they keep all names in a national database, but it’s still better than getting mail and UPS or FedEx packages at your home address.)

Once this is done, put in a temporary forwarding address with the post office. (This will keep the USPS from selling your new address to junk-mailers.) At the end of this temporary period, cancel the service.

If possible, remove your mailbox. Otherwise, put a notice on or in it that this box is NOT IN SERVICE.

In the future: Never give out your home address again. (Obvious exceptions: friends who come to visit you, and the company that insures your home.)
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4 comments:

  1. JJ...

    "Never give out your home address again."

    I think, without question, this is the single most important piece of advice for anybody looking for the smallest oasis of privacy. Thanks for all you do!

    - Mike

    ReplyDelete

  2. Could you clarify something please? You say:

    If possible, remove your mailbox. Otherwise, put a notice on or in it that this box is NOT IN SERVICE.

    I read this as, "discontinue your mailbox service." But that can't be right... how are you supposed to get mail if you A) don't receive any at home and B) don't have a mailbox to check?

    - Thanks

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  3. If possible, remove your mailbox. Otherwise, put a notice on or in it that this box is NOT IN SERVICE.
    I think it means to remove your home mailbox. Since I live in an apt complex, I'd add a note saying Not In Service to my assigned (unremovable) mailbox.

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  4. some ups stores offer "concerige" or "doorman" services where they will accept your packages without renting a box for a fee of $5-$20 depending on the size of the package the only down fall is that the name on the package has to match the person picking up the packagages (they check id) duh use a nominee

    ReplyDelete

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