Informed Delivery News and How It Can Help You

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Delivery Boxes Near the Door
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Informed Delivery is a free service that allows you to view digital images of the outside of your mail and packages before they arrive at your doorstep.

This service is available to over 30 million households across the US, making it a convenient option for many people.

You can use Informed Delivery to stay on top of your mail and packages, and even manage your mail preferences online.

By logging in to your account, you can also view a daily preview of the mail and packages that are scheduled to arrive at your home.

What Is Informed Delivery?

USPS Informed Delivery is a free service that provides digital previews of incoming letter-sized mail to subscribers' inboxes before delivery.

These previews are sent as black-and-white images of the exterior mail, allowing users to anticipate and track correspondence.

Users also receive package tracking updates, which adds another layer of convenience and security for those involved in online shopping.

This service helps users streamline their daily routines in a digitally connected world.

By offering a modern approach to handling mail, USPS Informed Delivery makes it easier to stay on top of mail and packages without having to physically check the mailbox.

Features and Benefits

Parcels Inside a Delivery Van
Credit: pexels.com, Parcels Inside a Delivery Van

Informed Delivery offers several advantages for users seeking greater control over their mail, enhancing both efficiency and peace of mind in mail management.

You can receive daily emails containing grayscale images of incoming letters, allowing you to anticipate mail contents and plan responses.

The service's mobile compatibility ensures accessibility on-the-go, catering to both individuals and businesses in need of constant mail updates.

With Informed Delivery, you can start your mornings with a preview of your day's USPS mail and packages, thanks to daily digest emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon.

Here are the key features of Informed Delivery:

  • Get Daily Digest emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon.
  • See images of your incoming letter-sized mail (grayscale, address side only).
  • Track and manage your packages in one convenient place.

By using Informed Delivery, you can avoid unnecessary wait times at the mailbox and have greater control over your mail.

Using Informed Delivery

USPS Informed Delivery is a game-changer for businesses and individuals alike. Mailers can create campaigns through a portal, which Jet Mail can set-up and manage, to reach their audience.

A delivery person in a red jacket uses a smartphone to confirm a package delivery.
Credit: pexels.com, A delivery person in a red jacket uses a smartphone to confirm a package delivery.

Mail pieces not associated with an Informed Delivery campaign can still be viewed by recipients, even if someone can't get to a mailbox that day. This is a huge benefit for businesses using it to support direct mail marketing objectives.

The program offers an additional touchpoint with a customer by synchronizing cross-channel campaigns, allowing recipients to see the mailpiece digitally and physically.

How It Works

Informed Delivery uses automated sorting systems and scanners to generate grayscale images of your mail, which can then be viewed from the Informed Delivery app, dashboard, or through email notifications.

To get these images, postal workers feed mail pieces into the automated sorting system and scanner, making it possible to see what's coming in the mail from home or on the go.

The images are generated before your mail is delivered, allowing you to view them from the app, dashboard, or by signing up for USPS's Delivery Daily Digest emails.

A Woman Receiving Her Parcels while Standing Beside the Delivery Man
Credit: pexels.com, A Woman Receiving Her Parcels while Standing Beside the Delivery Man

Informed Delivery is widely available to residential addresses and eligible PO Boxes in most ZIP Codes throughout the U.S., with 89% of users being satisfied or very satisfied with the service.

You can sign up for Informed Delivery by visiting the USPS website, and the best part is that it's completely free.

Interactive Notifications

Interactive notifications are a game-changer for users of Informed Delivery. You can take action directly from your email, which streamlines the process of addressing delivery issues and enhances user experience and customer service.

If you're expecting a piece of mail or package, you can report it as missing if it's not in the daily update. This interactive feature makes it easy to resolve any issues that may arise.

Informed Delivery incorporates package tracking, ensuring users stay updated on delivery statuses. They can monitor the progress of packages from when USPS receives them to final delivery.

Here are some benefits of interactive notifications:

  • Streamlines the process of addressing delivery issues
  • Enhances user experience and customer service
  • Allows users to take action directly from their email

The service is widely available to residential addresses and eligible PO Boxes in most ZIP Codes throughout the U.S. Currently, 89% of people who use Informed Delivery are satisfied or very satisfied with the services it offers.

Statistics

Man Checking on Parcel Deliveries
Credit: pexels.com, Man Checking on Parcel Deliveries

Statistics show that Informed Delivery has made a significant impact on the way people engage with mail services. A staggering 33.4 million people have registered for Informed Delivery.

The service is growing rapidly, with 495,000 new users registering every week. This is a testament to the convenience and benefits of Informed Delivery.

Here are some key statistics about Informed Delivery:

  • Number of registered users = 33,400,000
  • Number of new weekly user registrations = 495,000
  • Number of email-enabled users = 27,700,000
  • Total mailer/Mail Service Provider participants = 1,932
  • Total brands represented across all industries = 10,680
  • Active Informed Delivery mail campaigns = 4,193
  • Completed Informed Delivery campaigns = 79,933
  • Email open rates of 70% (12-month average)
  • 1 in 5 households have an Informed Delivery participant

People are using Informed Delivery in various ways, with 79% using the daily digest email. The mobile app and dashboard are also popular, with 10% and 11% of users respectively accessing them.

Common Concerns and Feedback

USPS Informed Delivery generally receives mixed feedback from its users. Some aspects garner praise, while others face criticism. This mixed bag of reviews is a common theme among users.

Many users praise the service for its convenience and time-saving features. It allows them to plan their mail and packages around their daily routines. This is especially useful for those with busy schedules or who live far from post offices.

On the other hand, some users criticize the service for its inconsistent delivery schedule and limited availability. This can be frustrating for those who rely on the service to manage their mail and packages.

Security and Abuse

A woman receives a package from a delivery man in a modern home setting, highlighting convenience and online shopping.
Credit: pexels.com, A woman receives a package from a delivery man in a modern home setting, highlighting convenience and online shopping.

The U.S. Postal Service's Informed Delivery service has raised concerns about security and potential abuse.

Security is significantly strengthened with USPS Informed Delivery, allowing mail recipients to detect any discrepancies in deliveries through image previews and interactive alerts.

However, the U.S. Secret Service has issued an internal alert warning that identity thieves and other fraudsters are using Informed Delivery to commit identity theft and credit card fraud schemes.

The USPS has since implemented a notification program that alerts households by mail whenever someone signs up to receive scanned images of their mail.

Enhanced Security

With USPS Informed Delivery, mail recipients can detect any discrepancies in deliveries through image previews that help identify concerning situations, such as tampered or missing items.

Interactive alerts allow users to swiftly report these issues, reducing vulnerabilities associated with traditional mail handling.

By signing up and completing the process, you'll gain access to digital previews and tracking features, enhancing mail management efficiency.

U.S. Secret Service Warns of Mail Scanning Abuse

Paper sheet with warning information on glass wall of local city shop with portable ladder inside reflecting blue cloudy sky during quarantine period
Credit: pexels.com, Paper sheet with warning information on glass wall of local city shop with portable ladder inside reflecting blue cloudy sky during quarantine period

The U.S. Secret Service has issued an internal alert warning that identity thieves and other fraudsters are using Informed Delivery, a service from the U.S. Postal Service, to commit identity theft and credit card fraud schemes.

In 2017, KrebsOnSecurity warned that ne'er-do-wells could take advantage of Informed Delivery by signing up as anyone in the household without the resident's knowledge.

The USPS wasn't using its own unique communication system to alert residents when someone had signed up to receive these scanned images, making it easy for scammers to abuse the service.

Beginning February 16, the USPS started alerting all households by mail whenever anyone signs up to receive these scanned notifications of mail delivered to that address.

This new notification program, dubbed "Informed Delivery", includes a scan of the front and back of each envelope or package destined for a specific address.

The U.S. Secret Service's warning highlights the potential for misuse of Informed Delivery by private investigators, identity thieves, stalkers, or abusive ex-partners.

The USPS hopes to have changes in place by early next year to blunt some of these concerns, but for now, residents need to be aware of the risks associated with this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Informed Delivery going to be discontinued?

Informed Delivery will be discontinued as a standalone app, but its notifications will still be accessible through the USPS Mobile app. You can continue to receive updates without interruption.

What is the downside of USPS Informed Delivery?

USPS Informed Delivery may not always be accurate, and you might miss notifications if mail is scanned after the cutoff time. This can lead to unexpected mail arrivals, so it's essential to understand how it works.

Gretchen Gerhold

Writer

Gretchen Gerhold has established herself as a prolific writer, covering a diverse range of topics including logistics, trade, and economic development. Her articles on container terminals and the logistics sector in India provide deep insights into the complexities of modern supply chain management. Focusing on the state of Kerala, her work on the economy and transport in Kochi highlights the region's significant contributions to India's economic landscape.

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