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Both the forwarding address and my address are private homes. The forwarding is through USPS.

I keep everything on spreadsheets. How could I mess up and accidentally give them my real address? The pc and dongle used have never been associated with any accounts containing my real info. If somehow I messed up in some way I never even thought possible, and they got my address, wouldn't it be listed in the addresses section on my account?

That's an easy mistake to make for any of us. Maybe you were thinking one thing and typed another.

I capture "Screenshots" of all my accounts, just in case I screwed up or Paypal messes with my account.

This way I know for sure what info I typed.

Snagit, Mac and Windows screen capture software from TechSmith <<< I snag everything.

Have you ever purchased anything on a website, given the website your real address and then paid with the stealth paypal?

This would be my best guess as to how they got your real info.

Nope never, although I have purchased something on ebay a long time ago in the stealth account sent to the stealth address just to make sure that the forwarding would also forward my packages successfully. Still, my real address could not have been revealed this way.

I am very alert and aware when I am on a stealth account, even if I did mess up somewhere and provide them with my address then wouldn't it now be listed under "addresses" in my account profile? LoL this mail is driving me crazy I had dreams trying to figure it out last night

I wasn't sure if you still had access to the account.

Yes, I'm sure we'll all be interested as to how this happened.

Yes the account is still up and running...

the forwarding is via usps BUT is the actual box a usps box. It may be different in USA, but in UK a box with our Royal Mail is publically searchable ie. the real address is open to enquirers....just a thought, if pertinent.

Remember in the USA.

They ask everyone to fill out one of those change of address forms.

Once you do that the post office goes right into sending everyone who places a piece of mail in your box or has your previous address a card with your brand new address on it.

When I last moved I got a piece of mail from a neighbor who did not know where I moved to. I saw the return address and thought how in the world.

Read the letter and she said she sent me a letter to my old address and it was returned with the new address on it. So she automatically got my new address by knowing the PO will provide her details of my move address etc.

I dont like this because they send info to people and businesses that did not ask for your change of address.

Can cause some people problems in the end.

Careful with using a PO box and thinking you are hidden away from people or businesses who you do not want your new address.

I dont think it is right for them without your permission but its the government, what can you do.

I even had a PO fee show up on my credit file once. Small town clerk thought she had the right to report my as past due when I did not renew my PO Box at her location. I had to go to the post master to get this resolved and removed from my credit report as once your 6 month contract ends they cannot report it as due as you did not agree to pay for another 6 mo.

WOW I didn;t know this! Thank you so much. So what should I do now, switch to some type of private forwarding service?

Yah, but anyway the USPS does not forward junk mail. Maybe you created a test account or something that you have since forgotten about.

But why would that be considered junk mail? It was one of those big Top Rated Seller awards...

Oh, thought I read somewhere in the thread that it was junk mail. My bad...

Maybe try a test letter send to your stealth address and see what happens.

Any mail that is not considered junk mail USPS send that letter back to the sender with your new address on it.

Even people or businesses you dont want to have your new address sends letters anyway knowing they will get your new address.

** Tactic used by collectors all the time. USPS hands them your new address and they now know where you live or your new PO box.

Besides the fact of receiving returns, what is the point in even setting up mail forwarding. The only thing I could imagine would be to get any tax forms from PayPal which you can always download from them anyway. So what's the point?

There is no point. I would even argue its not necessary for returned items.

I ASSumed everyone knew this, I guess not.

You can forward mail to a new rental mailbox. The sender will receive your new address but it will keep your home address confidential.

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http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb:USPSFAQ&view%28%29=c[c_usps1104jch]&varset%28source%29=sourceType:embedded

How long is Change of Address mail forwarded?

Once your Change of Address is effective, mail is forwarded to your new address as quickly as possible. However, there is no estimated delivery time for forwarded mail, and forwarded mail may be subject to additional postage. Information on the forwarding of specific mail classes is as follows:

First-Class Mail®, First-Class Package Service, and Priority Mail®

First-Class Mail®, First-Class Package Service, and Priority Mail® service is forwarded for 12 months, at no charge, as long as the sender did not place a non-forwarding endorsement on the mailpiece
During months 13-18, the mail is returned to sender with the new address
After 18 months, the mail is returned to the sender with reason for nondelivery attached.

What other method would you use to receive returns ?

And your sure it's not eBay congratulating your new Top Seller status of an old suspended account? That happened to me...

I just email the buyer outside of ebay and give them the return address I want them to use. Has never been a problem.