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Easily Protect Your Business and Recipients From Mail Fraud and Scams

Mail has always been one of the most trusted ways to communicate — tangible, trackable, and personal. But in today’s environment, where digital and physical threats overlap, even the mail stream isn’t immune to fraud.

Businesses that rely on physical mail for invoices, statements, legal notices, or compliance documents must stay alert to the risks of mail fraud and scams. And with technology making it easier than ever to mimic official correspondence, protecting your business and your recipients requires a mix of vigilance, education, and smart mail management.

For organizations using a print and mail service like LetterStream, it’s not just about sending mail efficiently; it’s about ensuring that what’s sent is genuine, secure, and trusted.

Understanding Mail Fraud in Today’s Environment

Mail fraud has evolved beyond fake sweepstakes and counterfeit checks. Today, scammers use both digital and physical tactics to exploit trust in legitimate mail.

They may send letters that mimic a real company’s logo or wording, asking recipients to verify personal information. Others include QR codes or URLs that lead to phishing sites. In some cases, businesses themselves become victims — when fraudsters use their name, address, or branding to send deceptive mail that damages reputation and erodes customer trust.

For recipients, these scams often look convincing. For senders, even one fraudulent letter can create confusion, lost business, or compliance risk. That’s why organizations handling business-critical mail must implement safeguards at every stage, from data preparation to final delivery.

Common Types of Mail Fraud Targeting Businesses

Mail fraud can take many forms, but a few patterns appear most frequently:

Impersonation and brand misuse: Fraudsters imitate your company or a government agency using stolen logos, names, or templates to trick recipients into sending money or personal data.

Phishing-by-mail (also known as “smishing hybrids”): Scammers send physical letters with QR codes or web links that direct users to fake login pages.

Invoice and payment scams: Some criminals send convincing “replacement invoices” to redirect legitimate payments to fraudulent accounts.

Check theft and mail interception: Criminals target unlocked mailboxes or outgoing business mail to steal checks, documents, or credentials.

Each of these tactics relies on one thing: trust in the mail itself. Protecting that trust means combining secure mailing practices with recipient awareness.

How to Protect Your Business and Recipients

The best defense against mail fraud starts long before a letter leaves your office. Here are practical strategies to strengthen your mailing process and reduce exposure:

1. Secure Your Mailing Workflow

Limit access to sensitive data and production files. If you print in-house, control who can generate or approve official correspondence. If you outsource, choose a print and mail service with established data security protocols, encrypted uploads, and full tracking — like LetterStream’s secure platform.

2. Use Trackable and Verifiable Mail Classes

For critical or high-value communications, consider Certified Mail online or other traceable options. These services provide proof of mailing and delivery, making it harder for fraudulent mail to impersonate official correspondence.

3. Educate Recipients

Add small but effective fraud prevention elements to your mailpieces. For example, include a consistent return address, branded design, and clear contact information so recipients can verify authenticity. Educate your customers or members on what your legitimate mail looks like — and what it never includes (like requests for personal data or payments via third-party links).

4. Monitor for Unauthorized Use of Your Brand

Regularly check for fake mailings or lookalike campaigns using your organization’s name. Partner with your postal or compliance teams to report potential mail fraud to the USPS Inspection Service or the FTC.

5. Keep Your Data Clean and Your Process Documented

Fraudsters often exploit outdated mailing lists or unsecured workflows. By maintaining accurate recipient data and documenting your print-and-mail process, you reduce the chances of misdirected mail or data leaks that could be abused.

How LetterStream Supports Secure, Trusted Mail

At LetterStream, security and integrity are built into every mailing process. Our platform allows businesses to upload PDF documents securely, select mail classes, and track delivery with Certified Mail and FedEx 2Day from production to receipt. Each file is processed within a controlled, encrypted environment — minimizing handling, reducing the risk of interception, and ensuring confidentiality for both sender and recipient.

We also help organizations maintain consistency and professionalism in their printed materials — a key factor in building trust and deterring fraud. Whether you’re sending Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, or large-scale campaigns, your recipients will recognize your mail as legitimate, accurate, and on-brand.

Keep Your Mail Protected

Mail fraud may be evolving, but the solution is still rooted in diligence, design, and trusted delivery.

By tightening your processes, using secure services, and partnering with a reliable print and mail provider, you can protect both your organization and your recipients from scams.

Because in the end, trust is what keeps business mail powerful — and it’s worth protecting.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

Artificial Intelligence in the Mail Industry

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry, and yes, that includes mail.

From faster sorting to smarter targeting, AI is helping organizations modernize one of the oldest and most trusted communication systems in the world. For businesses using a print and mail service like LetterStream, this evolution brings new ways to save time, cut costs, and improve accuracy — all while preserving the personal touch that makes mail so powerful.

The Quiet AI Revolution in Mail

The digital revolution didn’t make mail irrelevant — it made it smarter.

Today, AI is built into nearly every step of the mail journey. Sorting systems can now “see” and interpret addresses with the help of machine learning, automatically correcting errors that used to slow things down. Predictive tools forecast delivery timelines, helping postal operations plan routes, balance workloads, and adapt to spikes in demand.

In the business world, AI personalizes direct mail just as it does digital campaigns. Instead of sending identical letters to everyone on a list, companies can analyze patterns, segment audiences, and create versions that speak directly to each recipient. The result is higher engagement and greater efficiency — powered by technology but driven by strategy.

Even print production is getting an upgrade. AI now helps schedule jobs, spot formatting errors before printing, and coordinate multi-location production. For a company sending thousands of letters through LetterStream, that means fewer errors, faster output, and more consistent results across every batch.

Smarter Mail, Not Less Mail

AI’s greatest impact on mail isn’t about replacing people — it’s about enhancing the way they work.

Across the mailing industry, artificial intelligence is streamlining the workflows that used to take hours of manual coordination. Sorting systems are learning to read handwriting and damaged barcodes. Predictive models help postal networks prepare for surges and adjust delivery routes based on real-time conditions.

For businesses, AI is transforming the larger ecosystem that supports mail — from faster delivery predictions to smarter logistics and data insights. These improvements ripple through the supply chain, creating more reliable delivery windows and helping organizations plan communications with confidence.

And while AI powers much of this progress, it’s not working in isolation. The most successful mailing strategies combine intelligent tools with human expertise — teams that understand timing, message, and audience. That’s where services like LetterStream come in: pairing automation with people who know mail inside and out.

What AI Still Can’t Replace

For all its intelligence, AI can’t replicate what makes real mail matter.

A printed letter or Certified envelope carries more than ink and paper — it carries proof, presence, and intent. When a company sends something through the mail, it’s not just transmitting information; it’s delivering accountability. That physical piece becomes evidence of communication — something that can be received, signed for, archived, and trusted.

AI can help with scheduling, tracking, and reporting, but it can’t replace the assurance that comes with a stamped and sealed document in someone’s hands. It doesn’t feel the weight of compliance deadlines or the responsibility tied to a financial disclosure, a medical notice, or a legal notification.

Real mail still plays a unique role in business because it leaves a paper trail — literally. It builds trust where email can’t, confirms delivery where digital can fail, and demonstrates diligence where automation stops.

At LetterStream, we believe AI can make mailing faster and smarter — but the credibility, authenticity, and permanence of real mail will always be human at its core.

Finding the Right Balance with LetterStream

At LetterStream, we’ve built automation into every stage of our print and mail service so our clients can spend less time on logistics and more time on strategy.

But while technology runs in the background, people stay in control. Your team decides what to send, when to send it, and how to tailor it for maximum impact. Our team is behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly. That’s the balance that defines the future of mail — efficiency through automation, guided by human insight.

AI and Mail

Artificial intelligence is changing how mail is made, moved, and measured. It’s improving accuracy, speed, and scalability — but it can’t replace authenticity, creativity, or human judgment.

By pairing LetterStream’s automated print and mail platform with your team’s expertise, you get the best of both worlds: technology that makes mail faster and more reliable, and people who make it meaningful.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

What Happens to Undeliverable Mail (and the Strange Journeys It Takes)

Ever wondered what really happens to lost mail? The journey from a simple delivery error to the USPS Mail Recovery Center reveals a fascinating world most senders never see.

Every time you send a letter, whether you drop it in a blue mailbox, hand it to a courier, or upload it through a print and mail service like LetterStream, you expect it to reach its destination. Most mail does. But sometimes, even the best-prepared envelopes go missing.

Maybe the address was typed wrong. Maybe the recipient moved. Maybe the mailpiece had no return address at all. When that happens, your letter embarks on an unexpected journey — one that can pass through multiple facilities, sorting systems, and sometimes even a mysterious place called the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

For businesses that rely on printing and mailing automation, understanding this “dead mail” process isn’t just interesting, it’s essential for improving delivery, saving money, and protecting your reputation.

Why Mail Becomes Undeliverable

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) handles more than 120 billion pieces of mail every year, and while its accuracy rate is extraordinarily high, millions of items still end up in the category known as Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA).

According to the USPS Office of Inspector General, UAA mail costs the postal system — and businesses — billions of dollars each year. The main causes are simple:

Incorrect or incomplete addresses. Missing apartment numbers, wrong ZIP Codes, or poor handwriting are the biggest culprits.
Recipients who moved. If a Change of Address (COA) form wasn’t filed or has expired, forwarding fails.
No return address. Without one, USPS can’t send it back.
Delivery barriers. Vacant buildings, inaccessible mailboxes, or refused deliveries also trigger a UAA label.

For a business, undeliverable mail isn’t just lost, it’s expensive. Once you factor in printing, postage, and labor, each failed piece can cost more than $3 in wasted resources. And that adds up fast.

The Journey of Undeliverable Mail

So where does all that lost mail go? Here’s how USPS handles undeliverable items — step by step.

1. The Failed Delivery Attempt

A carrier tries to deliver the piece. If it can’t be delivered or forwarded, it’s flagged as “Undeliverable as Addressed” and rerouted to the local post office for further handling.

2. Return to Sender (If Possible)

If the item includes a valid return address, USPS usually returns it at no additional charge (for First-Class Mail and some other classes).

3. Forwarding to a New Address

If a forwarding order exists, the item may be redirected — though only for specific mail classes and limited time periods.

4. Transfer to the Mail Recovery Center (MRC)

If the mail can’t be delivered or returned, it’s sent to the Mail Recovery Center (MRC) in Atlanta — the facility formerly known as the “dead letter office.”

5. Review and Resolution

At the MRC, trained postal employees may carefully open undeliverable mail under federal privacy guidelines to look for identifying details such as names, account numbers, or sender addresses.

Mail with no value is recycled or destroyed.
Items with potential value are held for 30–60 days, then returned or auctioned through USPS’s public resale partner, GovDeals.

In other words, “lost mail” doesn’t vanish — it simply takes a long and circuitous route to its final resting place.

The Hidden Cost of Lost Mail

For consumers, undeliverable mail might mean a missing package or birthday card. For businesses, it’s a measurable cost and a reputational risk.

Every undelivered notice, invoice, or compliance letter represents wasted money and missed communication. For organizations in healthcare, finance, and property management, that can also mean compliance exposure — especially when delivery is legally required.

LetterStream’s print and mail service helps prevent those losses by automating the address verification process before mail ever leaves the building. The platform checks formatting, validates addresses through the USPS database, and ensures all mail includes proper return information — dramatically reducing the chance of UAA outcomes.

The Odd Realities of Undeliverable Mail

The world of “lost mail” has its quirks:

The postal term for returned mail is “nixie”, a label that dates back to the 1800s when clerks manually marked mail as undeliverable.
The Mail Recovery Center processes millions of undeliverable items every year, including forgotten valuables, photographs, and letters that never reached their destination.
In rare cases, mailpieces have been found abandoned or misrouted — reminders that even a system as robust as USPS has limits.

These oddities highlight the importance of precision. Even small data errors — a missing suite number, a mistyped street name — can send a letter hundreds of miles off course.

How Businesses Can Prevent Undeliverable Mail

The good news? Undeliverable mail is largely preventable. A few best practices can make all the difference.

1. Maintain Address Hygiene

Regularly validate your mailing lists using USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) data and formatting standards. LetterStream’s automation checks addresses in real time before printing if you opt in for this service.

2. Always Include a Return Address

It sounds basic, but it’s critical. Without one, undeliverable mail has no path back to you and is immediately routed to the MRC.

3. Select the Right Mail Class

Different USPS classes have different forwarding and return rules. LetterStream helps you choose between First-Class, Certified, or Marketing Mail based on your delivery goals.

4. Track and Learn from Returned Mail

Returned mail includes valuable information — “Moved, Left No Address,” “Insufficient Address,” etc. Use those USPS endorsements to update your databases.

5. Automate Everything You Can

LetterStream’s send mail online platform integrates address validation, print automation, and delivery tracking — helping you eliminate human error and reduce undeliverable volume.

The Bottom Line

Undeliverable mail isn’t just a postal curiosity — it’s a reminder that even small data errors can create big costs.

For businesses, the solution lies in automation, accuracy, and insight. By partnering with a print and mail service like LetterStream, you can dramatically reduce the risk of UAA mail, improve communication reliability, and keep your brand reputation intact.

Because in business, mail that doesn’t arrive isn’t just lost — it’s a missed opportunity.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

References

U.S. Postal Service (USPS) – Mail Recovery Center Overview & FAQ
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2013/pr13_058.htm
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) – Strategies to Reduce Undeliverable as Addressed Mail (RARC-WP-18-011)
https://www.uspsoig.gov/document/strategies-reduce-undeliverable-addressed-mail
Reader’s Digest – What Happens to Lost Mail? Inside the Mail Recovery Center
https://www.rd.com/article/usps-lost-mail
National Public Radio (NPR) – Inside the Postal Service’s Dead Letter Office
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12147844
Smithsonian National Postal Museum – Nixie Clerks and Undeliverable Mail
https://postalmuseum.si.edu
USPS PostalPro – Address Quality Solutions and NCOA Data https://postalpro.usps.com/address-quality

Horror Stories From the Mailroom and How to Avoid Them

From missed deadlines to vanishing green cards, here are real-life mailroom horror stories and how a print and mail service can help you avoid them.

Every Halloween, I can’t help but think of the mailroom “horror stories” I’ve witnessed over the years, and trust me, missing a compliance deadline is scarier than any haunted house.

The good news? These nightmares are avoidable. Let’s walk through some spooky mail mistakes that still haunt businesses, and how you can make sure they never happen to you.

The Case of the Missing Deadline

An HOA once told me they thought they had “plenty of time” to send out annual meeting notices. But between stuffing envelopes, running to the Post Office, and trying to keep up with daily work, they missed the mailing deadline. The result? Extra costs, frustrated staff and residents, and a compliance headache.

Why it happens: Manual processes and last-minute scrambling.

How to avoid it: Automate your mailings. With a print and mail service, you can schedule jobs online, track progress, and make sure deadlines never sneak up on you again.

The Address That Came Back to Haunt You

Imagine opening a box of returned mail containing hundreds of envelopes, all because one column in a spreadsheet had typos. I’ve seen it happen. For one healthcare client, a single bad address list meant delayed billing cycles and irritated patients.

Why it happens: No address verification before sending.

How to avoid it: Use automated address validation. It catches errors before they turn into stacks of wasted postage and late communication.

The Vanishing Green Card

Certified Mail is critical for legal and compliance communications. But I’ve watched firms panic when they realized a green card had gone missing—just when they needed it most. In one case, a paralegal spent an entire day digging through files for proof that was never found.

Why it happens: Paper chaos and human error.

How to avoid it: Switch to Certified Mail online. Delivery confirmations are stored digitally, so you’ll never lose another proof of delivery again.

The Mail That Never Made It

A company once insisted they’d sent out all their compliance letters, only to discover weeks later that the mail had never left the office. Without tracking, no one could prove what happened. Clients were frustrated, and the staff was left pointing fingers.

Why it happens: Lack of visibility and accountability.

How to avoid it: Use a tracking dashboard. With real-time visibility, you’ll always know if a letter was sent, if it’s still in transit, and when it was delivered. No more mystery mail. You can get full visibilty with Certified Mail or FedEx 2Day.

Don’t Let Mailroom Nightmares Haunt You

Spooky mail mistakes don’t just waste time they can cost businesses money, trust, and compliance. But the truth is, these horror stories are completely preventable with the right tools.

Don’t let your mailroom become the stuff of nightmares. Simplify the process, automate where you can, and bring peace of mind back to your business communications.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

Celebrating 22 Years of Being the Heart of Mail

LetterStream is turning 22 this month! For more than two decades, we’ve been helping businesses send mail online—the easiest, fastest way to send real mail.

When LetterStream started back in 2003, our mission was simple: make mailing easier. At the time, sending mail was a hassle, especially Certified Mail, which meant printing, stuffing envelopes, and standing in line at the Post Office, with green cards galore. We thought there had to be a better way—and we built it.

Twenty-two years later, that mission hasn’t changed. We’ve grown, evolved, and innovated, but our goal remains the same: to help businesses and people communicate with confidence, compliance, and ease.

22 Years of Making Mail Simple

From our first customer mailing to the millions of letters we now send each year, we’ve been proud to serve a wide range of industries—law firms, HOAs, healthcare providers, construction companies, and more.

Over the years, we’ve:

Streamlined Certified Mail online, replacing green cards with digital proof of delivery.
Added FedEx 2Day, giving users faster options and more flexibility.
Built tracking dashboards so businesses can monitor every piece of mail in real time.
Supported thousands of companies as they moved from manual mailing to fully online processes.
Gave tracking visibility within your dashboard

Behind all of that are the people, our team, our customers, and our partners, who make this journey possible.

What We’re Most Proud Of

It’s not just the technology. It’s the trust.

Every letter, postcard, or notice we send carries something important, a message that matters. Whether it’s a legal filing, a medical notice, or a homeowner update, we know our customers count on precision, security, and reliability.

That trust is the foundation of everything we do.

We’re proud that for 22 years, we’ve continued to grow without losing the personal, hands-on approach that started it all.

Looking Ahead

The world of mail has changed a lot since 2003, but one thing hasn’t: businesses still need dependable ways to reach people.

In the coming year, we’re focused on:

Enhancing automation tools to make mail even faster and more flexible.
Expanding integrations that connect LetterStream with the systems our customers already use.
Continuing to simplify complex mailing tasks so our customers can focus on what they do best.

We’re not slowing down; in fact, we’re always looking for ways to continue to improve how our system works for our customers.

A Message of Thanks

This milestone isn’t just ours, it’s yours.

To our loyal customers, thank you for trusting us to handle your most important mail. To our dedicated team, thank you for making innovation look effortless. Truly, thank you to everyone for being part of the journey.

Here’s to 22 years of progress, purpose, and printing and mailing—made simple.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

In a Digital World Physical Mail Still Gets Attention

In a world of digital overload, physical mail still grabs attention—and here’s the psychology behind why it works for businesses.

A property manager once told me that half their residents ignored email reminders about dues—but when the same reminder arrived in a letter, payments rolled in almost immediately. It wasn’t the message that changed—it was the medium.

That story stuck with me because it highlights something we all know instinctively: physical mail feels different. In an age of nonstop notifications, a letter in the mailbox carries a weight that an email in the inbox simply can’t match.

Let’s look at the psychology behind why physical mail still captures attention—and how businesses can use it strategically with a modern print and mail service.

Tangibility Creates Trust

When people can hold something in their hands, they value it more. A physical letter signals effort, cost, and intention. It’s harder to dismiss than another subject line in an overcrowded inbox.

Studies have shown that tactile communication creates stronger memory and trust. In business, this can be the difference between a client responding quickly or ignoring you altogether.

Scarcity Makes It Stand Out

“We’re drowning in digital clutter. The average professional receives around 120 emails per workday, and email tasks eat up as much as 28% of one’s work time, according to Harvard Business Review.

Meanwhile, physical mail has become rare in many people’s daily routines. Because it’s unusual, when something does arrive in the mailbox, it has more psychological weight — less competition for attention, more novelty.

Basically, getting a letter today is like getting a handwritten note at a crowded conference—it cuts through the noise.

Effort Signals Importance

People intuitively know it takes more effort to send a letter than to fire off an email. Even if you use automation behind the scenes, the recipient perceives a letter as deliberate and meaningful.

That perceived effort communicates importance. HOA managers, law firms, healthcare administrators, and other professionals can leverage this psychology to show that their message matters.

When someone receives a Certified letter, they don’t think ‘spam.’ They think, ‘I’d better pay attention.

The Hybrid Advantage with Modern Tools

The beauty today is that businesses don’t have to choose between old-school impact and modern convenience. With a print and mail service like LetterStream, you can create the psychological power of physical mail without stuffing a single envelope.

Upload your documents online, choose the right mailing method (First-Class, Certified Mail, FedEx 2Day), and let automation handle the rest. It’s the best of both worlds: the trust-building weight of physical mail with the ease of digital workflows.

Don’t Underestimate the Mailbox

Physical mail works because it feels different, important, and real. While emails blur together, a letter still has the power to stand out, build trust, and spark action.

If you want your communications to be noticed—not ignored—tap into the psychology of the mailbox. To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

Patient Termination Notices in New York: Why Certified Mail Matters

In New York state, patient termination notices require more than courtesy—they require compliance. Here’s how Certified Mail online helps providers handle them securely and professionally.

Patient termination notices are a sensitive but necessary part of healthcare practice management. In New York, providers are expected to follow specific steps to avoid claims of patient abandonment and to ensure patients have a fair opportunity to transition their care.

At the heart of this process is Certified Mail—the most reliable way to prove a patient received their notice. With Certified Mail online, providers can simplify this requirement and handle it with professionalism.

Key Elements of a Termination Notice

To remain compliant and protect both patient and provider, a termination notice should include several key elements. As the American Medical Association notes, “physicians have an ethical obligation to notify the patient, provide reasonable notice, and offer resources for continued care” (AMA Code of Medical Ethics).

Reason for Termination: While not always mandatory, stating a reason adds clarity—especially when patient conduct is the issue. MedPro guidance explains that “providing the reason for termination in clear, objective terms can reduce misunderstandings and mitigate potential allegations of abandonment” (MedPro Guideline PDF).
Effective Date: Adequate time is essential. Many risk management resources recommend a 15–30 day window. According to MagMutual, “notice should be long enough to allow the patient a reasonable opportunity to obtain other medical care” (MagMutual Article).
Transfer of Records: Patients must be told how to authorize and request their records. The AMA highlights that physicians should “facilitate the transfer of records to another physician or entity upon request” (AMA Ethics Guidance).
Referrals: It is good practice to suggest referral options. Clinician.com notes, “Providing patients with referral resources, whether to local hospitals or other practitioners, demonstrates continuity of care and reduces liability” (Clinician.com Article).
Emergency Care: Providers should confirm that emergency treatment will still be available until the effective date. As MedPro stresses, “patients must not be left without access to urgent or emergent care during the transition period” (MedPro Guideline).

Procedural Steps for Providers

Send the Notice by Certified Mail – Certified Mail with return receipt requested is the standard for documenting delivery.
Keep Records – Retain a copy of the letter, mailing proof, and delivery receipt.
Inform Covering Colleagues – If others may see the patient, make them aware of the termination.
Provide Care Until the Effective Date – Continue to meet obligations through the notice period.

Why Certified Mail Matters

Certified Mail protects providers by offering proof of mailing and proof of delivery. If a patient later claims they weren’t informed, you have the documentation to demonstrate compliance.

The challenge? Traditional Certified Mail requires Post Office trips, stacks of green cards, and manual filing. That’s where LetterStream makes the difference.

How LetterStream Simplifies the Process

At LetterStream, we know Certified Mail is critical for compliance—but it doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why we’ve built tools that make the process faster, easier, and more reliable:

Upload in Minutes: Upload your termination notice into the platform. We handle the printing, addressing, and mailing.
Skip the Post Office: No waiting in line, no juggling slips or forms—everything is managed online.
Track With Confidence: Account dashboard shows you exactly when notices are mailed, where they are in the USPS process, and when they’re delivered. There is also a copy of the digital signature in your account if you opted in for an Electronic Return Receipt.
Proof at Your Fingertips: Delivery confirmations are stored digitally, so you’ll never lose another green card.
Scale Without Stress: Whether you’re sending one notice or one hundred, the process is just as simple.

Easily Send Patient Termination Notices Online

Patient termination notices in New York are about more than communication—they’re about compliance, professionalism, and protecting patients during a transition. Certified Mail ensures notices are delivered, and Certified Mail online ensures the process is simple.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

The Easiest, Fastest Way to Send Real Mail.

How to Choose Between First-Class, Certified Mail and FedEx 2Day

Not sure whether to use Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, or FedEx 2Day? Here’s a clear breakdown to help businesses choose the right mailing option every time.

Over the years at LetterStream, I’ve seen businesses struggle not because they couldn’t figure out how to send a letter, but because they weren’t sure what type of mail to send it as. One client once sent a stack of critical compliance notices through regular First-Class Mail—only to discover later they had no proof of delivery. The fallout was expensive, stressful, and totally avoidable.

Mailing isn’t just about postage—it’s about choosing the right method for the job. Sometimes First-Class is all you need, sometimes Certified Mail online provides the accountability you can’t live without, and sometimes FedEx 2Day is the only option fast enough.

Let’s break down when to use each.

First-Class Mail: Fast & Affordable

If you’re looking for the everyday workhorse of mail, this is it. First-Class Mail is ideal for invoices, statements, friendly reminders, and general communications. It’s decently fast and cost-effective, making it the default for most businesses.

But here’s the catch: First-Class Mail doesn’t include tracking or proof of delivery. Once it’s sent, you’re trusting the system.

When to use it: Everyday communications that don’t require legal proof.

Think of First-Class like the city bus—reliable and affordable for most trips, but you wouldn’t rely on it to hand-deliver something priceless.

Certified Mail: Proof & Accountability

Now we’re stepping into more serious territory. Certified Mail provides proof of mailing, proof of delivery, and full tracking. That’s a big deal if your documents are legally or financially critical.

This is where Certified Mail online shines. Instead of waiting in line at the Post Office, you upload your documents, choose Certified Mail, and track everything digitally. The downfall is that it can sometimes take a long time to get delivered.

When to use it: HOA compliance letters, legal notices for court, healthcare reminders, government filings—anything where accountability matters.

Why it matters: Certified Mail protects both sender and recipient. If someone claims they never got your letter, you’ve got the receipts (literally).

Certified is like having a signature-required courier—only without the hassle of hiring one.

FedEx 2Day: Speed & Priority

Sometimes speed is non-negotiable. Contracts that need signing ASAP, financial documents that can’t sit, or legal filings with strict deadlines—these are FedEx 2Day moments.

With guaranteed two-business-day delivery and reliable tracking, FedEx 2Day ensures your mail gets priority handling. Yes, it costs more than First-Class Mail or Certified letters, but for time-sensitive documents, the peace of mind is worth it.

👉 When to use it: Urgent, high-stakes documents where time is critical.

FedEx 2Day is like booking a non-stop flight. It costs more than the bus or the car, but you’ll get there fast and reliably.

Comparison Table

Feature	First-Class Mail	Certified Mail	FedEx 2Day
Speed	Normal	Can be slow	Guaranteed 2 days
Cost	Low	Medium	Higher
Tracking	None	Yes	Yes
Proof	None	Proof of mailing + delivery	Proof of delivery
Best Use	Everyday communication	Compliance, legal, financial documents	Urgent, time-sensitive documents

Match the Mail to the Mission

The “right” mail option depends on what’s at stake. If it’s everyday communication, First-Class Mail works. If accountability matters, Certified Mail is the clear choice. If speed and reliability are critical, FedEx 2Day is worth the premium.

The good news is you don’t have to guess. LetterStream lets you choose the right option for each job—and manage it all online. To learn more, click here.

The Easiest, Fastest Way to Send Real Mail.
LetterStream makes printing and mailing a breeze.

Top 5 Mailing Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Avoid the 5 biggest fall mailing mistakes that cost HOAs, law firms, and businesses thousands of dollars and discover how to send mail online without the stress.

When the air turns crisp and pumpkin spice takes over everything, there’s another kind of “fall” to watch out for—the fall season crash in business-critical mailing.

Deadlines stack up, offices get busier, and even the most experienced teams stumble into avoidable mistakes.

I still remember one October when a client’s HOA nearly missed a compliance deadline because of a tiny oversight—something as simple as forgetting Certified Mail. It was a reminder that no matter how seasoned you are, mailing pitfalls can hit hard when the year-end rush begins.

The good news? You don’t have to crash and burn this fall. Let’s look at the five biggest mailing mistakes I see companies make every year—and how you can avoid them by learning how to send mail online with confidence.

Pitfall #1: Forgetting Time-Sensitive Deadlines

Fall is deadline season. HOA budget notices, legal filings, healthcare compliance letters, and year-end construction invoices—all seem to land at once. The biggest mistake? Thinking you’ll “get to it later.”

A missed deadline can lead to legal consequences, compliance fines, or frustrated customers. Early in a customer’s career, they underestimated how quickly “plenty of time” became “yesterday was the deadline.” That mistake cost them thousands in late penalties.

How to avoid it: Automate your mailing process. With a print and mail service like LetterStream, you can schedule, track, and confirm delivery without last-minute panic.

Pitfall #2: Choosing the Wrong Mail Type

Sending First-Class Mail when you needed Certified Mail is like showing up to a black-tie gala in sneakers. Wrong place, wrong outfit.

Certified Mail online provides tracking, proof of delivery, and peace of mind—things that regular First-Class Mail can’t offer. If your communication is legally or financially important, Certified isn’t just an option—it’s the standard.

How to avoid it: Match the mail type to the message. When in doubt, lean on Certified Mail online. It’s built for compliance and visibility.

Pitfall #3: Inconsistent Address Data

A single typo can derail an entire project. Imagine printing 500 letters addressed to “123 Elm Strret.” That’s not just embarrassing—it’s costly.

One fall season, a customer used our Address List Cleanup Service, and it flagged hundreds of bad addresses in a spreadsheet upload. Without verification, those letters would have bounced, delaying notices for weeks.

How to avoid it: Use address verification tools before sending. A good business mail automation platform will catch errors before they turn into disasters.

Pitfall #4: Underestimating Seasonal Volume

Think of the fall rush like holiday traffic. Everyone’s trying to hit deadlines, and the system clogs. HOA dues, healthcare billing cycles, legal filings, and year-end statements all collide.

If you’re still manually stuffing envelopes, you’re setting yourself up for a traffic jam.

How to avoid it: Outsource high-volume tasks to an outsourced print and mail partner. Automation ensures your mail doesn’t get stuck in seasonal bottlenecks.

Pitfall #5: No Tracking or Transparency

Dropping letters in the outgoing bin without tracking is like tossing your wallet into a pile of autumn leaves—you may never see it again.

Tracking matters. It’s not just about peace of mind—it’s about accountability. Certified Mail and FedEx 2Day both have tracking (which you can see in your LetterStream dashboard), and they both give you visibility from upload to mailbox.

How to avoid it: Always send critical communications with tracking enabled. Transparency saves time, stress, and rework.

Stay Ahead of the Fall Crash

Mistakes are easy to make—but even easier to prevent when you have the right system in place. With a few safeguards and the right partner, fall can be less about stress and more about progress.

At LetterStream, we’ve built tools that help professionals send mail online with confidence—even during the busiest seasons.

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LetterStream makes printing and mailing a breeze. Click here to learn more.

What You Need to Know About the 2025 USPS Holiday Mailing Deadlines

The U.S. Postal Service has announced its holiday mailing and shipping deadlines for 2025.

Yes, you read that correctly. Fall may have officially just begun, but it’s already time to start planning for the holiday season, especially when it comes to sending your mail and making sure it gets to its destination on time.

The dates the USPS announced for its holiday mailing and shipping deadlines are especially important if you want your cards, gifts, and packages to arrive before Christmas. But these dates are also important in order to make sure your business-critical mail gets where it needs to go. Why? Because the holiday time is a crazy time for mail in general. Adding in all the extra gifts and letters being sent means delays for your important notices too. There’s no need to panic, just prepare.

2025 USPS Holiday Shipping Dates

Here are the recommended 2025 holiday shipping dates for people to send their holiday gifts and for organizations that rely on the timely send-out of statements, notices, invoices, and compliance letters.

For mail to arrive by December 25, USPS recommends the following send-by dates:

Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)

USPS Ground Advantage® – December 17
First-Class Mail® – December 17
Priority Mail® – December 18
Priority Mail Express® – December 20

Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico & U.S. Territories

USPS Ground Advantage® – December 16
First-Class Mail® – December 17
Priority Mail® – December 18
Priority Mail Express® – December 20

What These Dates Mean for Businesses Using LetterStream

For businesses, missing a mailing deadline can mean more than just a late holiday card — it can mean delayed billing cycles, non-compliance with notification requirements, or frustrated customers.

Here’s where LetterStream comes in:

Upload and We Handle the Rest: No need to schedule trips to the Post Office. Upload your mailing job (statements, notices, invoices), and we print, insert, and deliver directly to USPS.
Deadline Alignment: If your job is in our system before our production cut-off on these USPS dates, we’ll ensure it enters the mail stream on time.
Scale Doesn’t Slow Us Down: Whether it’s 100 notices or 100,000 statements, our production lines are built to handle large, business-critical mailings right up until USPS deadlines.
Proof of Mailing When You Need It: For Certified Mail® or compliance-related mailings, you’ll have full tracking and reporting available, even during the holiday rush.

Why Planning Ahead Matters More in December

December mail volumes are the heaviest of the year, which can add stress for businesses with end-of-year or regulatory mailings. While USPS deadlines are the “last possible day,” we encourage LetterStream clients to:

Upload at least a day early for critical mailings — this ensures both our processing and USPS delivery stay on track.
Plan bulk jobs now — large statement runs and compliance mailings can take longer, especially if uploaded at the very end of the cycle.
Expect longer delivery windows — even First-Class Mail may take an extra day or two (or more) in December.

Use LetterStream to Send Mail Online

USPS deadlines are designed to help customers get their mail delivered by December 25. For businesses, these dates should be treated as hard cut-offs for year-end statements, compliance letters, invoices, and other critical documents.

At LetterStream, we bridge the gap between your upload and USPS deadlines. You focus on running your business — we’ll make sure your mailings get where they need to go.