Get an EMAIL preview of today's SNAIL mail delivery

[jkhanson]

I just learned that it is possible to get a daily email from your Post Office with a scanned picture of what mail you will be getting in your mailbox later that day.

I had no idea that the US Postal Service actually created a scanned image of each piece of mail. But since they’re already doing that, you can take advantage of it and have them notify you what to expect in your mailbox.

NOTE: this is only for letter-size mail pieces. Packages, magazines, etc. are not included in the notification.

To set this up for your address, go here: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action. It’s completely free for US residents.

Personally, I won't be signing up for it because I can wait until my mail arrives. 
This service Might be helpful for others, so I thought I'd share.

[appy9104]

I had heard them talking about this on tv,  but if it doesn't included packages then it is of no interest to me.  I would like to know so a package didn't accidently spend a long time in the black mailbox in the blazing heat or accidently overnight in the freezing cold.

[MichelleHW101]

Yes, they did and while that might be a good thing since the post office has a tendency to loose mail they claim they don't, I'm worried about hackers.  They could break into files like this to see who's getting a paycheck or social security if the person doesn't use direct deposit.  I actually look at this as more of a security risk than a good thing.

[UGetPaid]

^I understand those concerns, but I look at it from the opposite perspective.  It is just as easy/likely (or even moreso) that someone could look through your mailbox and steal a check that they find and you might never know or it might take a long time before you realize it.  The hacking danger requires someone to steal/guess your username and password. Does the random mail thief need that to open up your mailbox?  Unless you have a locked mailbox, you are vulnerable.


After reading this thread, I signed up for access and I immediately see scans of my mail for the past week. Each individual item has its own checkbox that reads: "I did not receive this mailpiece" with further detail when you hover your mouse over it: "By checking this box, you are indicating you did not receive the physical mailpiece represented by the image. The information you provide may be disclosed with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) for law enforcement and investigative purposes."

So this gives me the opportunity to inform the post office if I didn't receive something they supposedly delivered. While I agree that it would be even more useful if they included packages, this is still a good method to keep tabs on the envelopes and (ugh) bills.

[timvolley]

i see no need for this info i get enough emails every day and i just like to go to my mail box evryday and seen what kind of mail i  got.

[southernhorizons]

I think this is a very strange service, and I'm wondering what the USPS's ulterior motive is for all the extra work. I think they are actually scanning and reading our mail, and this gives them a good cover. Why else would they add extra costs at no benefit to themselves?

[alina6]

Sorry I am being a little thick here. Are they opening the mail and scanning the contents of the envelope or are they just scanning the outside of the envelope? If it is just the outside I don't see the benefit. If it is the inside I don't want them opening my mail.

[southernhorizons]

Sorry I am being a little thick here. Are they opening the mail and scanning the contents of the envelope or are they just scanning the outside of the envelope? If it is just the outside I don't see the benefit. If it is the inside I don't want them opening my mail.

It's just the outside, but I think maybe they can scan it with some sort of xray, and see the content inside. Otherwise what benefit is it to them?

[alina6]

Sorry I am being a little thick here. Are they opening the mail and scanning the contents of the envelope or are they just scanning the outside of the envelope? If it is just the outside I don't see the benefit. If it is the inside I don't want them opening my mail.

It's just the outside, but I think maybe they can scan it with some sort of xray, and see the content inside. Otherwise what benefit is it to them?

That is the challenge I am seeing, don't see any benefit.

[hawkeye3210]

Seems like a waste.

[jgw007]

Neat!

[swell455]

Thank you for the post.

[sdenimandlace1]

That could be a good thing, I will not sign up for it know I may in the future.  Thank you.

[sfreeman8]

I think it's a good idea if you expect to receive a check and it's late, or doesn't come at all. Think of it this way, it probably cuts down on the amount of requests they receive to follow up on mail someone may think wasn't received. Plus, if you work for a company that is supposed to send your wages by a certain date and it doesn't come, you can keep watch and probably you could print screen of the mail received for a couple days after the specified date the company tells you it should be there.

As for packages, when you order something, don't you get a tracking number from the company so you can track the shipment? if so, that's how you follow that amount. if you send a package, on your postal receipt, you get a tracking number so you can "watch" how long it takes to get to its destination.

As for scanning and x-ray, I think you're being paranoid. Are you that suspicious of everything and everybody? If so, that's not a good thing.

[gaylasue]

Oh, wow, I hadn't heard of this service until today!