Junk Mail Magic

Treat missing or stolen mail as a separate problem

If mail you expected never arrived, or you think someone took it, treat it as a theft or delivery problem. USPIS accepts reports of suspected mail theft, mail fraud and mail-related identity theft. Delivery service problems with no sign of a crime have a separate USPS route. An advertising opt-out does not help with either one.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

Work out which problem you have

  1. Write down what is missing: the sender if you know it, the date you expected it, and the last date the mailbox looked normal.
  2. Rule out ordinary explanations. Ask others at the address whether they picked it up, ask neighbors whether any of your mail reached them, and note whether the box was locked or damaged.
  3. If you see signs of theft or tampering, or suspect someone is using your mail to get at your identity, file a report through the USPIS report page. A report does not guarantee an investigation or the return of the mail.
  4. If the mail seems late, misdelivered or undelivered with no sign of a crime, use the USPS service route instead.
  5. For any important missing item, contact the sender through a phone number or website you already trust and ask them to confirm what they sent and when.

Keep it out of advertising cleanup

Taking your name off an advertiser's list will not recover a missing item. Keep bills, statements, cards and identity documents away from advertising-removal tools. If you share a mailbox, talk with the other residents before you change anything about their delivery.

Private incident sheet

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Date I noticed the problem: [date] Mail expected or missing: [sender], [type of mail] Date mail was expected: [date] Last date mailbox looked normal: [date] Signs of tampering or damage: [describe or none] Others who collect mail here: [name], asked on [date], answer: [answer] Route used: [USPIS report or USPS service] on [date] Reference number: [reference number]

Fill in the sheet before you report

Complete the sheet below first, so the dates and details are ready when the USPIS or USPS form asks for them. Keep the sheet private. After you file, write down the reference number and use it in any follow-up with that office.

Official source

Prepare a clear USPS service inquiryVerify a forwarding notice you did not requestCan Informed Delivery block junk mail?Delivery and advertisingAll practical mail guides

Choose the route that matches the mailing

Use the official route described in this guide for this kind of mail. For a separate ordinary advertisement, Junk Mail Magic can help prepare a sender-specific removal request.

Compare removal routes