Internet Change of Address request is accurate, secure and green
The U.S. Postal Service no longer displays hardcopy change-of-address forms at its retail locations. The forms (part of The Mover’s Guide) are only available behind the counter, where customers have to request them from a retail associate.
Why the change? The Postal Service wants retail associates to encourage customers to use the internet version instead as it is a more accurate option. There’s no chance of error due to illegible handwriting. The higher degree of accuracy means reduced undeliverable-as-addressed mail volume and lower cost.
Internet change of address also is fast. On average, USPS processes 97 percent of all change of address transactions into the Change of Address System within two days after they’re filed. The sooner USPS knows about the customer’s move, the sooner the Postal Service can begin forwarding the customer’s mail.
Equally important, internet change of address is a more secure option. USPS requires online customers to use a personal credit card or debit card for identity verification. There is a fee of $1.00 charged to the card for identity verification.
And it’s green. The internet option eliminates the use of paper.
Customers can go online at usps.com/moversguide to facilitate their change of address. Customers can also go to usps.com to put mail on hold when they will be going on vacation.
For those who do not have internet access, the postal service encourages them to call 1-800-ASK-USPS to facilitate their address change with a call center agent. There is a fee of $1.00 charged for identity verification for this option as well.
For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com. To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 573-9638.
Mr. Zip’s Tip: USPS processed 43.8 million address changes in 2009.
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.