Temporary Change of Address Became Permanent?

Question

I was out of town for three weeks, so I filed USPS Change of Address forms for both my physical and PO box addresses. I indicated that the "move" was temporary. I received confirmation letters for both addresses with the correct start *and end* dates. I returned home today (Sunday), and I cannot access my PO box, because the lock has been changed. Furthermore, my physical address mail box (at an apartment complex) has a note from the letter carrier asking for "New tenant name." It seems that my temp forward has become permanent. Obviously I need to take this up with the local PO Monday morning, but I was wondering if anyone has had this happen, and if there is anything additional I can or should do. What if they have already re-rented my PO box to another customer? Also, I know I had mail in both my PO and physical boxes (other than junk mail), primarily periodicals, that I never received at my forwarding address. What happened to that mail? Thanks!

Answer 1

check with the postMaster,

Answer 2

You definitely need to go to the P.O. as soon as possible and if you still have the confirmation letters, take those with you and try to talk to the Post Master, if possible. I've been a mail carrier for 27 years, and I'm sure that someone along the line handling your mail did not notice that it was temporary and continued to forward your mail.
The Postal workers do occasionally make mistakes. We are human after all and if people could see the amount of mail and the processing of all of it, they would be amazed that anybody's mail gets where it's supposed to. But, you do need to let them know what's happening and be firm, but understanding. Oh, and your periodicals are 2nd class mail and it takes longer for them to reach their destination. Hope this has helped.