PROTECT INCOMING MAIL: I’ve already discussed your choices to deal with how you receive mail in an earlier chapter. Here, I want to make some points about what you don’t want to do with your mail as most people do:
DOES THE USPS PHOTOGRAPH YOUR MAIL? Thanks to an anonymous USPS insider, the following can be reported:
WHAT HAPPENS TO MAIL RETURNED FOR INSUFFICIENT POSTAGE, WRONG ADDRESS, OR DAMAGES?:
HOW TO PROTECT OUTGOING MAIL: The thing to do here is make it appear as normal as possible. A standard size #10 envelope with a laser-printed label is best. A sealed, taped, or noticeably protected envelope calls attention and is a risk for theft but if needed, enclose everything in a slightly smaller #9 envelope then insert that one into a #10 envelope. This can also serve to offset an envelope’s transparency when sprayed with liquid Freon.
IS INCOMING AND OUTGOING MAIL SECURE? Depends on where it’s from or going to! Some suspicious businesses and individuals have their mail watched. The Patriot Act has lessened the privacy of mail. There are also certain government agencies that watch mail to and from tax haven countries.
Here is a list of countries by region that are listed on various Tax Haven Lists:
Caribbean and West Indies Anguilla:
Central America:
Coast of East Asia:
Europe and Mediterranean:
Indian Ocean:
Middle East:
North Atlantic:
Pacific, South Pacific:
West Africa:
URGENT NOTE: Do this immediately to protect your mail. Forward your mail to a safe location. When you fill out the mail forwarding application form from the USPS, DO NOT check the box for “Permanent”. If you do so, your name and address will go into the USPS change of address database. This database is sold to the commercial mail list providers and your name and address will end up in an untold number of computers, and there goes your privacy! Instead, mark it “Temporary” and give a date (6 months maximum). When the date arrives, your mail will revert to the old address unless you tell the USPS to stop forwarding mail and then mail will be returned to sender. So fill out the proper USPS form and have them stop forwarding your mail and have it returned to sender. Meanwhile, tell only those parties you wish to of your new protected mailing address.
Buy a quality shredder and shred everything you don’t wish to keep in a locked filing cabinet.
Copy the British and DO NOT use a return address or use a return address that is not your home and protected if you must.
Consider going paperless with your bank accounts, credit cards, etc., then secure your computer so nobody can use it to access your online account information (Computer Security is covered next).
Pay your accounts online and avoid mailing a check and the postage costs as well.
NOTE: The USPS is becoming more restrictive … any parcel weighing more than 13 ounces must be taken to the counter where they will insist on a return address. The day is coming sooner than later when a return address will be required for all mail.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is far better to avoid potential for harm and have your mail serviced by an anonymous locked box in a wall of boxes. This can be at a Private Mail Service, an Online Private Mail Service, or use a P O There are ways around encryption, but this will stop 99% of hackers and police.
Box with the USPS.