“most” - exactly what do you feel is misleading…

I have eliminated my entire neighborhoods (50+ households/100+ individuals) unwanted USPS mail (past resident, deceased, non-first class (aka junk) mail, etc. The ONLY political mailers we received this year were ECRWSS/ECRWSH addressed to correct current resident (no past resident ECRWSS/ECRWSH).

Each household averages 10 mailers a month and our mail is delivered twice a week unless there is a special package.

And this is what I have learned from removing names from political mailing lists.

• This is how to stop past resident mail…

First realize there are two types of USPS mail - first class & non-first class - each is handled differently!

• First class mail - presorted first class, forever/first class stamp, metered, priority, special endorsed

The endorsements consist of one keyword: “Electronic,” “Address,” “Return,” “Change,” or “Forwarding,” followed by the two words “Service Requested.”

You are receiving this type of mail because - the individual forgot to submit COA (change of address), COA is expired (expires after 18 months), forgot to submit COA in that name variation (Thomas vs Tom). The mail sorting machines sort by the first four letters of the first/last name.

Write “NOT at this address” and place in outgoing mail. If the individual moved over 18 months ago write “NOT at this address - MLNA” (moved left no address) and place in your outgoing mail OR take these items to the USPS and give to the clerk.

MLNA is a new option in mail carriers handheld - https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

EACH name variation will need their own MLNA/3575Z - so be extremely diligent!

If the individual (name variation) has an active USPS COA the first class mailer is forwarded. If the COA is expired (expires 18 months) or doesn’t exists the first class mailer is RTS with an official USPS forward/return label so the company can update their mailing list.

NOTE: MLNA’s are added to the NCOA (National change of address) database just like normal USPS COA’s. This database is used by companies (including marketing) to help keep their mailing list current. Ever wonder how “junk” mail follows you to your next address - this is how. If a company has your address listed for this individual (name variation) they will receive message - left no forwarding address - which forces them to locate another address for this name variation. The mailer is NOT printed!

• Non-first class mail - marketing/junk, presorted STD, presorted standard stamp, “or current resident”, EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH, charity, political, non-profit

You are receiving this type of mail because - non-first class mail is NOT forwarded via an USPS COA. Guess what you too are receiving this type of mail at EACH of your old addresses for this same reason.

See my steps (seven) on reducing your unwanted non-first class mail - this will reduce the amount of mail being delivered to your old addresses.

The ONLY way to stop this type of mail is to contact the sender and request the removal of the name/address!

Register your address with USPS informed delivery - service emails you daily the USPS mail/packages to be delivered - use this service to aid you in your removal request - attach the mailers image as reference.

Google the return address - normally a companies email is found in their privacy policy. If unable to locate an email - use the websites “contact us” or “live agent” options.

“I am receiving past resident mail and I would like this to STOP! Please remove this individual from your USPS mailing/marketing list.

Name/address on mailer)

See attached mailer as reference.” (Attach informed delivery image)

NOTE: If the mailer has the wording “or current resident” - guess what - you ARE the current resident. This is just a marketing tactic - always a current resident - the sender doesn’t have to update their mailing list. If you don’t want this mailer - remove the name/address from the senders mailing list. When you remove one name be prepared to receive the same mailer in another past resident name. Just keep removing names until the mailer stops. My record is 15 names!

NOTE: If receiving preapproved credit card offers for past residents - sign they haven’t updated their address on their credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis). To stop these offers register them with opt out prescreen - https://www.optoutprescreen.com/ - do NOT include their SSN - DO include their middle name & DOB. This info is found in websites like truepeoplesearch, nuwber, mylife.

NOTE: If receiving political mailers for past residents - sign they haven’t updated their voter registration. Contact your local election board - https://www.usa.gov/election-office and update this info - be sure that USPS forms 3575Z/MLNA are active. If the election board physically mails this individual something they will get message - “moved left no forwarding address”.

NOTE: If the mailer has a postage paid envelope - return these while waiting for removal request to take affect. Be sure to attach the address portion of the mailer and write “remove from mailing list”. Support the USPS!

NOTE: Your goal is to have ONLY your wanted mail appearing in your addresses informed delivery. Some mail carriers sort mail before delivery - which is great - but you still don’t want this individual connected to your address. So request removal from ALL past resident mailers that appear in your addresses informed delivery.

Here is a list of common USPS junk/marketing mailers with easy opt outs - updated list under username - don’t forget to opt out past residents - - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VGd4iEy9jTsDbDcTj6EGcje-CkqoIeRCowXNhY2hmtk/edit?usp=drivesdk

Why “spammed” as you call it - 80+ bed ridden individual and eliminating unwanted USPS mail is my hobby - keeps me busy! I can also teach you how to eliminate unwanted phone calls - working on this in my neighborhood - halfway finished.

These steps are just what I have learned in the process of eliminating my entire neighborhoods (50+ household/100+ individuals) unwanted USPS mail (past resident, deceased individuals, non-first class (aka junk) mail, etc.

Personal preference on how to handle your voter registration - we have a couple neighbors who don’t deregister but most have found it beneficial. I also live in a neighborhood where the average age is 65+ - so we believe deregistering is one last step our families will need to deal with when we pass.

Your right your state only has “safe at home” program for abuse victims. But some states do have programs where you can request your voter registration to be confidential - Nevada being one example - https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/elections/services/voter_registration/reg-update.php

We receive ZERO unwanted mailers and each household averages 10 mailers monthly. Our mail is delivered twice a week unless a special package. This political season we only received ECRWSS/ECRWSH political mailers and they were only in the current resident name.

If the past residents names were properly MLNA by USPS you wouldn’t be receiving the pictured ECRWSS/ECRWSH mailers.

• How to check to see what names USPS still has listed as current residents for your address.

Search your address in website truepeoplesearch - click on each name variation - if the name variation still has your address listed as their current address then USPS does as well. You can also search your address in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) - the name listed is what USPS has classified as a current resident. As you MlNA name variations this name will update to another past resident until finally your name appears.

Unless you have a diligent mail carrier - I recommend every 2 years (until databases are correct) obtain the VACANT card from USPS and fill out with the names that should receive first class mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of the past resident names that need to be MLNA.

EACH time you receive a mailer for a past resident (especially first class) - write “NOT at this address - MLNA” and place in your outgoing mail. Mail carriers normally don’t like “or current resident” mailers returned - because technically you are the current resident - so don’t return them.

You can also submit a request - https://emailus.usps.com/s/daily-mail-delivery-inquiry - select "I receive someone else mail" - request a MLNA (moved left no address) request for (previous resident name) as you are receiving daily mail for this individual and they no longer live at said address. This will send an email to your local mgmt and open a complaint case. I only had to use this twice but the option is available.

• I also recommend register name variations receiving ECRWSS/ECRWSH mailers with DirectMail (National do not mail list) - https://www.directmail.com/mail_preference/ - use a fake/junk email.

• see my seven steps (under username) to reducing unwanted USPS mail (past resident, deceased individuals, credit card offers, political mailers, etc.).

• You can also contact each political sender and request removal of name/address from their USPS mailing/marketing list.

Maine Republican Party - https://mainegop.com/contact-us/ - email removal request to contact@mainegop.com

Maine Democratic Party - https://www.mainedems.org/contact - email removal request to mailto:info@mainedems.org

“Please remove my name/address from your USPS mailing/marketing list.

(Name/address as appears on mailer)

See attached mailer as reference.” (Attach USPS Informed delivery image)

Past resident - “I am receiving past resident name and I would like that to STOP! Please remove this individual from your USPS mailing/marketing list.”

In mailer is EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH add this wording to request - “ NOTE: Since the mailer was mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH. You will need to add my address to your RBNR (rural boxholder non-delivery request) which is connected to my addresses USPS form 3982-R. If you should have any questions on how to accomplish this task - contact USPS, see your USPS account or contact the printing company you used to print this particular mailer.”