Those Annoying Random Flyers Filing Up Your Mailbox May Actually Be Illegal
Tired of having your mailbox full of junk? Those annoying random flyers that keep filling up your box may actually be illegal.
The only thing filling up your box, other than bills, should be mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
Only authorized U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox. By law, a mailbox is intended only for receipt of postage-paid U.S. Mail.
The problem is, all that random junk fills up your box and when boxes are full, letter carriers can not deliver your regular mail, under Postal Service regulations. But the junk keeps piling up. A number of complaints have been made to the Postal Service about flyers without paid postage being placed in mailboxes all over the country.
Though many may be unaware, it is important to know that this type of activity is illegal by federal law. It may seem to be an easy way to advertise, but only U.S. Mail delivered by authorized personnel may be placed in mailboxes.
There are businesses that pay to advertise. Flyers that go through the U.S. Postal Service and have a postage stamp are legal. The ones without are not.
If you see anyone going mailbox to mailbox, you're advised to report the problem. "It could be someone completely unaware of the statute placing advertisements, but it could also be someone trying to steal mail," said Postmaster Keith Jackson.
There is one exception to the rule - newspapers. But papers can only be placed in mailboxes on Sunday when there is no mail delivery.
Now if we could just do something about all the junk mail received electronically.