Is anyone surprised the Post office does not require proof of identity to change your mailing address??

Question

Last week, I went to the post office to change my address. I was SHOCKED when the postal worker told me, it was not necessary to show any proof of identity to do so. Are you kidding me? She didn't ask for my state id, driver's license, NOTHING. I filled out a postcard and that was it.

With the all the identify theft going on today, am I the only person surprised about this? Or is it possible the postal worker didn't know what she was talking about?

If you change your address online, you are required to provide a credit card with your name, but in person NO ID IS REQUIRED???? That's nuts!!!

Answer 1

It is very interesting and scary that you can fill out a postcard and drop it in the box and your address is changed. Another scary thing is that if you know someones name and address you can go and get a copy of their birth cirtificate as it is a public record. If you then forge a SSN card, a card with NO watermarks, raised printing or security features of any kind, and you can then go to the DMV and get a drivers license with your picture on it and someone elses SSN and info and then you are free to do what ever you want. These are just a few of the reasons that 10.1 million people last years were vitictims.

Wanna see what else people can find out about you http://www.zabasearch.com/

In this, the age of information it has come to being proactive about protecting your good name. What is really sad is that children are becoming a target of this crime at an alarming rate, as no one really checks their files or strives to protect their information

For more realities and things to do to in regards to your identity visit my "Your Identity... How Safe Is It?" Blog

Answer 2

You know, I never thought about that!!!! Very good question. I think they should definitely change the way they deal with address change. Also, it wasn't just the postal worker being ignorant. You can just take the postcard home and drop it in a box wherever and whenever you want.

Answer 3

you don't have to go to the post office in person, the clerk does not take the change of address form. you can go to the PO but you will just pickup the form that is used. you then drop that form in a mailbox or give to your mail carrier like any other letter after it is filled out with your request.

Answer 4

One simple solution, at least to your credit & financial accounts, is to switch to electronic statements.

This serves the purpose of eliminating the paper statements which can be redirected, through change of address, or outright stolen from the mail stream.

Finally, it's also a good idea to remove your name from the various credit and marketing lists which help to generate mail addressed to you which can easily be intercepted or redirected to alternate addresses.

For more, here's a couple of references which can help.

Answer 5

I was surprised too when I changed my address and didn't need identification. They do, however, send a notice to the old address and the new address, so that if something is amiss, it can be reported.