I also recommend doing these steps at each address to ensure proper delivery of USPS mail/packages.

• Write name in mailbox (especially cluster boxes) - if apartment complex ask apartment management to supply mail carrier with a list of current residents so the mail carrier can properly label mailboxes.

• Fill out “new customer card” (even if not new to address) at servicing USPS - this card instructs mail carrier on what names should receive first class mail/packages at said address. I have used forms 4232 & the green VACANT form in the past.

Unsure of servicing USPS - search address in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) - they will list the USPS location that services your address along with their contact info.

• Submit USPS COA from your old address to current address. A diligent mail carrier will place a “new customer card” in the mailbox when they receive the past residents COA or the new residents COA - usually VACANT card.

https://www.usps.com/umove/

NOTE: I do this every 2-4 years (or when move) from EACH of my old addresses. You will be surprised what your still receiving at your old addresses. Unsure of your old addresses see website truepeoplesearch and/or free annual credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis) https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports.

• Register your address with USPS informed delivery - this service emails your daily the USPS mail/packages addressed to/to be delivered to your address (including past resident mail). Your goal is to have ONLY your wanted mail appearing in this service.

NOTE: Some mail carriers sort out past resident mail before delivery - which is great - but this is creating more work for them. Help them out and eliminate these mailers. Contact the sender and request removal of the name/address from their USPS mailing/marketing list.

• Google your address - is the location arrow correct - NO correct IMMEDIATELY with Google maps and GPS/mapping systems - carriers unfamiliar with route use these online services.

• Make sure your ALL mail/packages have the address variation that the USPS systems needs to properly sort/deliver mail/packages - search address in USPS address looks tool - https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm

NOTE: If you have ANY mail delivered in an address variation different than what USPS needs - correct this IMMEDIATELY. USPS is making changes to their system and what may have been delivered before may start being RTS.

• Search your address in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) - any incorrect info/error codes?

Error codes - correct with USPS address management - https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/address-management-system

If you aren’t listed as the current resident - this will update after eliminating past resident mail/MLNA process (see below & my post on eliminating past resident mail)

If your residential address is classified as a business (apartments are known culprit) - correct with address management. NOTE: This will prevent you from being able to register with USPS informed delivery (business addresses are ineligible) and create COA issues. If a past resident did NOT select “business” on their COA (online/handwritten) it was rejected. USPS does NOT inform us of rejected COA’s!

• Eliminate past resident mail - this will avoid confusion on what names should receive first class mail at said address. See my post on this topic for more tips on eliminating past resident mail.

Past resident first class mail - write “NOT at this address” and place in your outgoing mail. If the individual moved 18+ months ago (COA’s expire after 18 months) write “NOT at this address - MLNA” instead.

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

Non-first class mail (YOURS & past resident) - the ONLY way to stop these mailers is to contact the sender and request removal of name/address from their USPS mailing/marketing list.

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

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

Here is a list of common USPS junk/marketing mailers with easy opt outs - updated list under username - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VGd4iEy9jTsDbDcTj6EGcje-CkqoIeRCowXNhY2hmtk/edit?usp=drivesdk

• If suspect a past resident didn’t submit an USPS permanent COA (change of address) - signs receiving first class mail, appearing at your address to retrieve their mail, they know exactly what should be available to pick up, etc. Be sure to contact USPS Informed delivery and have all accounts deleted (except your own).

https://emailus.usps.com/s/informed-delivery-inquiry

NOTE: When an USPS permanent COA is submitted their informed delivery account is automatically transferred.