Understanding and Handling Marked Letters - Tips for SEO

When a Letter is Marked

When you receive a letter that has been marked with reasons for return, it can be important to have a clear understanding of the possible causes and how to handle each situation. This guide will provide you with valuable insights into the common reasons for returns and steps you can take to mitigate such issues.

Moved

The recipient may have moved and not updated their address with the sender or the postal service. In such cases, it is best to confirm the new address with the recipient through other means, such as email or phone.

Refused Delivery

The recipient might have refused to accept the letter, indicating they do not want to receive it. In this situation, if the letter is marked as 'REFUSED,' it is important to respect their decision. If the letter is 'NOT at this address,' the addressee is likely to be unwilling to receive the mail.

Address Issues

The addressed may be incorrect, leading to the return of the letter. Checking with the postal service can provide additional information on why the letter was returned. If the return is due to an incorrect address, make sure to update the address with the sender and the postal service to avoid future issues.

Handling Unwanted Mail

If you receive an unwanted piece of mail, there are specific ways to handle it to ensure it does not continue to be returned. If the mailer is in your name and is unwanted, mark it with "REFUSED." If the mailer has your address but another name (such as a past resident), mark it with "NOT AT THIS ADDRESS." It is important not to remove the mail from your mailbox or alter the mailer.

Raise a Flag for Misdelivery

If the mailer was delivered to you by mistake (e.g., a neighbor’s mail), do not remove it from your mailbox. Instead, raise a flag for misdelivery. To prevent this from happening in the future, use the USPS endorsement "Return Service Requested" on your next mailer. This endorsement will notify the return address of the forwarding address of the individual via a USPS yellow return label.

Research Using Free Lookup Sites

To discover whether the individual is indeed the current resident, you can conduct a search using free lookup sites like Whitepages, Intelius, Anywho Addresses, Zabasearch, BeenVerified, NeighborWho, Ownerly, Spokeo, Radaris, TruePeopleSearch, TruthFinder, and Nuwber. Be aware that the information available on these platforms may not be up to date.

Use Melissa Data Lookups

For a more accurate address lookup, use Melissa Data lookups or Personator. If the individual is listed on the first page, they might be the current resident. However, this may not be the case if they have moved and did not submit a Change of Address (COA) form with USPS.

Educate Others on Return Service Requested

Encourage others to use the "Return Service Requested" endorsement on their mailers. Educating individuals on the importance of this practice can help reduce the number of returns and help others get their mail delivered as expected.

By following these steps and tips, you can better manage marked letters and ensure smoother and more efficient postal mail handling.