USPS putting in inquiry about how many post office boxes registered?

[Recherché]

Hello all. I have a perplexing situation in regards to USPS. I have a friend in a small Mom & Pop mailbox rental place tell me that USPS is inquiring about me because I rent out 3 mailbox rentals with along six or so business names that go along with them. I use them for my 6 Amazon & Ebay accounts. Not sure why this would be any of their concern.

He also told me that the guy from USPS also gave him the names and locations of the other two mailbox rental places I use. He had no other info but warned me about it. Any thoughts? Maybe they think I'm running some kind of scam.

[unkown5454]

I have not heard this myself, but hopefully someone with some USPS connections can chime in. Hope all is well.

[GreenBean]

You are saying that a third party not employed by USPS has given you info about your accounts with USPS?

In other words your privacy has been violated?

Go read the T&S of USPS. Check what they allow you to do AND not do.

[Hercules]

First, you should never use your real name at those PO box places.
Second, having more than one box at one location isn't cool...
Third, it only matters if you get overseas goods that may be questionable.
Otherwise the USPS are a bunch of slugs that despise a full days work so you're probably O.K. to carry on.
If you use them for just returns use just one. Ebay/Amazon only monitors emails when a buyer requests it. I use Ebay messaging. Not the email for the acct. Ebay can't see the messages for some legal reason.

[slim jim]

Originally Posted by Recherché

Hello all. I have a perplexing situation in regards to USPS. I have a friend in a small Mom & Pop mailbox rental place tell me that USPS is inquiring about me because I rent out 3 mailbox rentals with along six or so business names that go along with them. I use them for my 6 Amazon & Ebay accounts. Not sure why this would be any of their concern.

He also told me that the guy from USPS also gave him the names and locations of the other two mailbox rental places I use. He had no other info but warned me about it. Any thoughts? Maybe they think I'm running some kind of scam.

I am not understanding. USPS contacted this Mom&Pop store (how did they know to contact this person?) and asked why you are renting 3 boxes? you are using 6 names on 3 boxes? I am sorry I am just not understanding and use boxes a lot myself

[Hercules]

That form you sign and fill out goes to the Post office for their records too. They put two and two together when his name showed up all over town.

[Gamefreak]

Originally Posted by Hercules

First, you should never use your real name at those PO box places.
Second, having more than one box at one location isn't cool...
Third, it only matters if you get overseas goods that may be questionable.
Otherwise the USPS are a bunch of slugs that despise a full days work so you're probably O.K. to carry on.
If you use them for just returns use just one. Ebay/Amazon only monitors emails when a buyer requests it. I use Ebay messaging. Not the email for the acct. Ebay can't see the messages for some legal reason.

Dont they ask for several forms of ID so idk how you would not use your real info on the app...

UPS require 2, USPS requires 3, mom and pops idk about those guys...

[slim jim]

something from the story is missing

[Hercules]

Originally Posted by Gamefreak

Dont they ask for several forms of ID so idk how you would not use your real info on the app...

UPS require 2, USPS requires 3, mom and pops idk about those guys...

When I opened mine at places beyond the post office I used a Photo ID from where I worked. And some other less important info...

These Mail Box places have to go by the USPS laws for mail delivery.

USPS saw his name at other mail box places. Maybe they were looking for terrorists or mail fraud stuff who knows.

[oge]

Very strange.....Usually this is only done by Postal Inspectors......

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by oge

Very strange.....Usually this is only done by Postal Inspectors......

Right at the moment, all we know is the OP got given info from someone who has postal boxes.

That party alleges a USPS employee discussed the OP's business.

It's a very incorrect procedure if this is the case.

We need the OP to add more details, if he chooses.

[jeffweico]

Actually, I worked for a small mail box place years ago as a part-time clerk. This was pre-internet, probably 20+ years ago.

The USPS can request ANY information they want from the owners of the USPS Box stores. When you file for the box, they are required to keep the application and supporting docs on file.

It is NOT normal for the USPS to inquire about boxholders. Or, at least it wasn't normal back then. Whenever we got an inquiry - just once or twice in 3 years - my boss (the owner) was worried because he thought the customers were involved in some sort of illegal activity. I don't remember anything coming from it, however.

Have you had customs seizures to these USPS boxes?

SOMETHING is causing them to look into your accounts. You need to figure out what that SOMETHING is.

[MM78]

Ma and Pa or Check Cashing places that offer P.O. Boxes only really ask 1 type of ID.

[Recherché]

Thanks for the info all. An I.D. is needed when opening any PO Box #. They are all at 3 different locations. I will have to talk to the people who run the other two locations and see if they have been contacted as well. But yeah, strange it is for them to divulge my info.

[Recherché]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

Actually, I worked for a small mail box place years ago as a part-time clerk. This was pre-internet, probably 20+ years ago.

The USPS can request ANY information they want from the owners of the USPS Box stores. When you file for the box, they are required to keep the application and supporting docs on file.

It is NOT normal for the USPS to inquire about boxholders. Or, at least it wasn't normal back then. Whenever we got an inquiry - just once or twice in 3 years - my boss (the owner) was worried because he thought the customers were involved in some sort of illegal activity. I don't remember anything coming from it, however.

Have you had customs seizures to these USPS boxes?

SOMETHING is causing them to look into your accounts. You need to figure out what that SOMETHING is.

No customs seizures. Although some have been opened and inspected.

[Recherché]

Originally Posted by Hercules

That form you sign and fill out goes to the Post office for their records too. They put two and two together when his name showed up all over town.

True. I only use one post office mostly to send out items. Also, I put in an inquiry to post office as a package was lost. I called USPS and they said they would put trace on package. The next day, I have USPS people inquiring about my mail box rentals.

[mercurial333]

Originally Posted by Recherché

Hello all. I have a perplexing situation in regards to USPS. I have a friend in a small Mom & Pop mailbox rental place tell me that USPS is inquiring about me because I rent out 3 mailbox rentals with along six or so business names that go along with them. I use them for my 6 Amazon & Ebay accounts. Not sure why this would be any of their concern.

He also told me that the guy from USPS also gave him the names and locations of the other two mailbox rental places I use. He had no other info but warned me about it. Any thoughts? Maybe they think I'm running some kind of scam.

Do you like in some kind of small town, suburb, middle of nowhere location?

[yotano211]

Originally Posted by MM78

Ma and Pa or Check Cashing places that offer P.O. Boxes only really ask 1 type of ID.

Where I live, all PO Box's require 2 forms of ID, even ma and pop stores. USPS requirement.

[rsot]

USPS does not always follow the rules - you are other investigation - might want to begin other boxes elsewhere and phase these ones out.

[yotano211]

If he looks into new PO Boxs the post office will look into those too when he uses his ID. Only way out is too use another person too open a new set of PO Boxs.

[rsot]

Exactly yotano211 - I have had USPS check my boxes in 2000 so I know their protocol

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by Recherché

True. I only use one post office mostly to send out items. Also, I put in an inquiry to post office as a package was lost. I called USPS and they said they would put trace on package. The next day, I have USPS people inquiring about my mail box rentals.

Would appear they are covering their 'butts' by checking you out.