| First of all we need to get some terms stated. I | | | | and are understandably the most common. I |
| have been in the business for just over two | | | | define Mail Drops as a mailbox that has been |
| years and there is still some confusion over the | | | | purchased on your behalf and all mail within the |
| topic. | | | | mailbox is sent to your predefined recipient |
| Mail forwarding: is a service that allows you to | | | | address. Most Vendors provide shared mail boxes, |
| have your mail sent to a “mailbox” | | | | where you share a box with many users for a |
| and then they will forward it off to your location. | | | | cheap price, or dedicated services where you |
| This mail is generally sent in bulk to the recipient | | | | actually rent the whole mailbox. You should look at |
| and is very useful if you travel, or don’t | | | | how manageable your account is, can you have |
| have a permanent address. | | | | multiple predefined recipient addresses, and can |
| Mail Redirection: is when you have mail sent direct | | | | you see what mail you have and how much mail |
| to a mailbox and then it is | | | | you have in the box at any time. |
| “remailed” to another location. This | | | | Why would people even use such a service? |
| is mainly used by organisations or individuals who | | | | Anonymity is the simple answer, or people who |
| wish to keep their physical address a secret. | | | | choose to keep their identity secret from others. |
| Remailing: is as simple as receiving a letter, | | | | There are many reasons for doing this, the most |
| re-stamping and addressing the letter then posting | | | | legitimate reason for using such services is for |
| it again. This is pretty much what happens when | | | | people who move around and do not have one |
| mail is forwarded or redirected. | | | | stagnant address. Although the services are set |
| First of all when you think about tampering with | | | | up by legitimate vendors, there are the |
| mail such as remailing, forwarding etc. you think | | | | customers who wish to evade the law and have |
| “dodgy” or is that legal? Quite | | | | private documents sent without detection. These |
| simply yes, it is legal but it all depends on what | | | | customers can harm or damage the |
| the intent of the service is. I will explain why | | | | vendor’s reputation and if any prohibited |
| people need to have a fake mail address. | | | | material is detected they can often face heavy |
| Mail Drop: is defined as “an address or | | | | charges. |
| place at which a nonresident person receives mail, | | | | There are many vendors out there who provide |
| often of a secret nature” (2005) So why | | | | this service, I am not going to recommend any |
| are there so many names for the same | | | | particular vendor but I do advise that you shop |
| services? | | | | around and take a look at their history and talk to |
| It is pretty simple to understand why there are | | | | other customers who have used their services. All |
| so many names and that is because the vendors | | | | the vendors are located in multiple countries; you |
| that offer these services are trying to obtain as | | | | should take a look at their country of origin, what |
| many hits through search engines as possible, | | | | privacy laws are enforced there, what is their law |
| they use phrases such as | | | | enforcement like? Then take a look at the site. |
| “forwarding” | | | | Read their privacy statement, try to understand |
| “redirection” etc. | | | | it. Make sure you fully understand their terms of |
| In doing this they can confuse the customer and | | | | service. You do not want to be stuck with a huge |
| they will not have a clear understanding of the | | | | fine, or if you’re trying to keep yourself |
| services that are available. | | | | anonymous, you don’t want to have your |
| What service should I use then? | | | | private information public. Or worst of all have |
| Mail drops are generally the most defined term | | | | them read your private mail! |