The Changing Change of Address System
Filed under Delivery & Collection
Tags: change of address, services
Did you know that one in seven people in the United States change their address each year? Naturally, this creates a tremendous challenge for the Postal Service, which strives to maintain a high-quality repository of current addresses.
Change-of-address requests can be made in person at local Post Offices using a hardcopy form (PS 3575), or electronically using the Internet. They can even be made over the telephone. By far, the most popular way to change one’s official address is still using the hardcopy form, but those contemplating a move should consider their options carefully.
Loading ... Loading ...While the Postal Service’s change-of-address process generally works properly, our audit found that improvements are needed in the way hard copy requests are processed, authorized, and validated. Although Postal Service employees should reject and return orders with no signature, in some cases change-of-address orders without a proper signature slipped through. We also saw signature mismatches and occasions when Postal Service employees rather than customers signed or initialed the forms.
Is there a better way? We think there is. Our audit also examined the Internet and telephone change request systems. We found that these electronic alternatives are not only much more convenient for the customer, they are also far more effective in ensuring that only authorized and validated change-of-address requests are processed. Digital requests can be electronically matched against customers’ credentials quickly and efficiently. This results in a more secure environment, which is important because mail diverted to another location based upon unauthorized change-of-address orders is a major contributor to identity theft — America’s fastest growing crime.
There has to be a catch, you say. Well, there is. This service costs $1. We think it’s a bargain! To change your address online, go to moversguide.usps.com. To change your address by telephone, call 1-800-275-8777.
You should know the Postal Service does have systems in place to protect customers against unauthorized address changes. If a change of address has been submitted for you, the Postal Service will follow up with a Move Validation Letter. This letter is sent to your current address and notifies you that a request has been made to forward your mail to a new address. If you did not request to change your address, you should inform your local Post Office immediately as a potentially fraudulent situation may exist. In our audit, we found that the Postal Service generally sends these letters in a timely manner. Recently, the Postal Service has taken steps to further improve the timeliness of these letters, ensuring that they are processed within 3 to 10 days.
What do you think about the Postal Service’s change-of-address process? How can it be improved?
This topic is hosted by the OIG’s Information Technology audit directorate.
22 Responses to “The Changing Change of Address System”
Leave a Reply
Hello and Welcome!
Social Media
Search
Change Font Size
What's Hot This Month
Recent Comments
- escaped to the military on Pay for Performance
- Supervisor on Pay for Performance
- gv34m0 on Pay for Performance
- Jack on Postal Service as a National Asset
- jrkakapastateradio on Pay for Performance
Recent Topics
- Pay for Performance
- Having Problems with Your Time and Attendance Records? The OIG Wants to Hear From You.
- Are They Listening to Me?
- Postal Service as a National Asset
- Safety First!
December 16th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Good to know. I’m moving in about 6 months. Was wondering what I should do. I guess I’ll be going online, although it’d be better if it were free
December 15th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
To Observer: I applaud you for mot using our change of address system. I would much rather prefer that you the customer makes sure all your mail is sent to the correct address. This would make for a much easier job for me!!! Thank you so much for your kindness..
December 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
The $1 charge was not a USPS requirement, but required from the credit card companies. The credit card is used to vett your current/future address. The credit card companies didn’t want the USPS using their databases without a charge. $1 is the minimum amount that can be charged.
December 15th, 2009 at 12:34 am
The never ending rush to automate everything…here we go again. As a carrier for 29 yrs, I can say for certain that the worst way to submit a change of address is online. Who in the Postal Service needs to know if you move? Thats right your mail carrier! Who is the last person in the Postal Service to know that you move if you file online? Thats right your mail carrier. This system flat out sucks! Weeks have gone by from a customer moving and the carrier(remember the only one who needs to know if you moved) being informed. The hard copy change of address handed to the carrier is the most efficient and you are delusional if you think otherwise.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
“There has to be a catch, you say. Well, there is. This service costs $1. We think it’s a bargain!” That’s why you make too much…no brains!!! Free is a much better bargain!!!! Now quit ruining my Post Office….and fire Potter.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
It is not “change of address.” It is “forwarding.” That’s why the mail is undeliverable after 1 year.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
time should be shortened. 6 months should be long enough to get address changed with entities the customer wants it changed with. We should be returning a lot more mail, rather than fixing addresses for customers who haven’t lived there for years, or senders just don’t have the right town or whatever. Way too much manual handling of letters at the destination offices.
December 14th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Quit trying to cut the carrier out of the system. They know the customer and their needs best.
December 14th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
they need to charge for every 3575 ran thru the system. Millions of $’s being lost. too much work for nothing, charge for the service, a private company would. Customers expect to pay something, the day of FREE is gone as will be the Postal Service if they don’t collect for some of these services, free cartons for shipping, no,charge something you can always go lower but it hard to raise the price, they need to charge for all the free stuff.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
If you think I am going to pay you a dollar to give you a change of address electronically, which may be the cheapest way for you anyhow, you are nuts. But, since Consumers Reports says that anyone interested in privacy and security, and reduction in identity theft, show not ever use the USPS Change of Address System, I would guess that I will not give you my new address at all.