BBB of Greater Houston & South Texas

News Release: For Immediate Release

The Better Business Bureau Serving:
Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, Montgomery, & Wharton Counties. (Texas)

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Contacts:
Deana Turner:
Office: 713-341-6131, e-mail: dturner@bbbhou.org

www.bbbhou.org * bbbinfo@bbbhou.org * Council of BBBs: www.bbb.org *
24-Hour Information: 713-868-9500, 877-468-9222 (from area code 409 only)

New Policy Changes for Users of Private Mailboxes

Private mailboxes (PMBs) provide a great convenience to many consumers and small business owners. Unfortunately, scam artists also utilize the convenience of private mailboxes. A suite number or a prestigious avenue can give the perception of a corporate executive office of a well-established business. Unscrupulous individuals rely on address mis-perceptions to bilk consumers.

Users of private mailboxes (PMBs) now have new rules to adhere to. In April, the U.S. Postal Service announced new policy changes in an effort to protect American consumers from mail fraud and safeguard the privacy of the growing number of entrepreneurs who operate small, home-based businesses. According to Postal authorities, the changes target people who rent private mailboxes to hide illegal activities, such as credit card fraud, identity theft and schemes to swindle the elderly.

The new policy states that customers who want to rent a private mailbox from commercial mail receiving agencies (CMRA) must now show photo identification and verify that they live or conduct business at the address listed on their application. CMRAs are private businesses that, through a written agreement, accept their customers' mail from the Postal Service, hold it for pick-up (private mailbox) or re-mail it to another address.

Customers of CMRAs will also be required to write "PMB" and the number on the second line of their mailing address similar to the way people with post office boxes are identified with a "P.O. Box" number.

When renting a private mailbox, the CMRA applicant must indicate on the application whether the box will be used for soliciting or doing business with the public.

PBM holders with preprinted stationery have six months from the effective date to deplete current supplies, to order new stationery and to notify correspondents of their new address. After that, mail addresses that do not say PMB will not be delivered. Consumers who question the legitimacy of direct mail can contact the local Better Business Bureau at 713-868-9500 or 1-800-275-3626 (from area code 409). Mail fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 800-654-8896.

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