New USPS address change policy customers should know about
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has implemented a new address verification policy, which can be done online, in person at a retail office, or by mail.
The new policy requires customers to verify their identity before submitting a "change of address" request for packages.
According to the USPS website, the changes described were made sometime in August. James McKean, a senior public relations representative, stated in an interview with FOX Business that if a customer fails to present proper identification or activate the received code at a retail location, their change of address will not be processed.
"There are three ways to initiate a change of address request: online, visiting a local retail office, or submitting the request by mail," McKean reiterated to FOX Business.
This policy aims to prevent fraudulent requests made in your name online. Before, if you needed to change your address, you would just turn in a form to the post office or fill out a simple form online.
Now, that process is more involved. You must follow the necessary steps. Once complete, you'll receive an email containing a QR code. You will then need to bring your ID and the code in person to your local post office to update your address.
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Will the winter weather delay my package?
Severe weather conditions will soon arrive with the onset of winter. A combination of heavy ice, snow and wind can cause anxiety around whether or not Christmas packages will be delivered on time.
To stay informed on any disruptions in services provided by the United States Postal Service, you can visit the designated service alerts page on their website. This page provides up-to-date information on any post office closures, delays caused by power outages or severe weather, and other service-related disruptions.
To track your package, you can use the tracking number provided to you and access the USPS tracking system.
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Is tracking ID "us9514961195221" a scam?
The text message is a scam disguised as a message from the U.S. Postal Service.
Scammers use fake tracking IDs, like "us9514961195221," to direct you to a fake USPS website where you're asked to update your address. The website looks official but is designed to trick you.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USPS address change policy requiring customers to verify identity
