| Author |
Message |
    
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7293
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 7:12 pm: | 
|
I just found this letter in the mail pile when I got home this evening. The letter claims to be from a junior at Columbia HS who is collecting money for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of East Orange. The letter instructs me to place money in the attached envelope and leave the envelope in my mail box so she can pick it up. The letter goes on to say that she will be checking everyone's mailbox (where she left a copy of this letter) to see whether there is an envelope for her there. ???
I don't know about you but I am concerned that anyone would think they had the right to go searching through every mail box in the neighborhood without prior permission of the owner of the mail box or the postal service to see whether an envelope addressed to her is in there. What is in my mail box is between me and the postal service. Nobody has any right to go rummaging in there.
Wouldn't it have been more appropriate for her to ring door bells or enclose a SSAE?
Has anyone else reading this received such a letter? |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 430
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
|
I would call Columbia on this one.. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 494
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 7:56 pm: |
|
Joan,
I do not remember any letter that might have been sent to each house in your area. I would have noticed it. Did this letter have a stamp on it and, if so, was it postmarked? If not, then whoever did this just dropped them off. I did not see anyone going from house to house today, but then again, I would have to be at the right place, right time.
I asked Lil' Letters (who is also a Junior) and he did not hear of this (which doesn't really prove anything). I would ask your neighbors if they also received this. If there is no time frame involved, maybe you can contact CHS on Monday and ask about it.
From what you have stated here, I would be very suspect that this is a scam. If so, the police (and maybe the Postal Inspection Service) should be notified.
|
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7294
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 8:09 pm: |
|
Joy:
The author of the letter claims to be a junior at Columbia but does not claim that the money is being collected for a Columbia sanctioned activity. Therefore, I see no reason to call Columbia. The person does include her name, address, phone number and e-mail address. The address is local (about two blocks from my house) and the phone number has a 763 exchange, which would match the address. If I call anyone, it will be the student herself to explain why her method of collecting for charity is not an especially good one but I wanted to get a few opinions from others on this board before doing so, since I may be seeing a problem here that doesn't exist.
Letters:
No stamp, no postmark, not even an envelope. This letter was either left on the front porch or placed through our mail slot. Since my husband brought the mail in today I don't know the exact method of delivery or the time of day when it may have arrived. I am certain you did not deliver it.
I think the author of the letter is young and naive rather than a scam artist. I doubt she realizes the illegality of what she is suggesting or the trouble she could get into if someone who did not read her letter sees her rummaging through their mail box.
Do you really think what is being proposed is so illegal that the police and/or the postal service need to be officially notified or the girl needs to be warned off before a crime is committed? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7346
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 8:53 pm: |
|
Joan - you have a good heart. But, remember that in the warmer weather, there are kids collecting for various activities in the intersections, with adults waiting nearby. They are scammers who use kids.
I would call the school because by naming it, she is representing it. And if she is legit, they can find out. You can also call ACS and find out if she is registered for the EO Relay. If some adult is putting her up to this, you'd be doing her a favor by putting a stop to it before she collects enough for a criminal charge. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 495
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:13 pm: |
|
Joan,
Your second post changes the story a little. You say that have an address and phone number. First of all, I would try the reverse phone directory to see if the number is assigned to this address (you will only know this is it is a listed number). This is certainly a non-evasive way of checking. If that fails, I might call the number and ask to speak to the person who gave you the letter. With the appropriate questions you may be able to ascertain whether this may be legit or not.
Also, you said the address was a couple of streets away from you. Which street is it? I live 3 blocks from you and we did not receive any letter. This story has a fishy smell to it. It may be legit, but it seems very odd to me.
Bottom line is that I would never, ever, give money to somebody who just dropped a letter at my house. I would need further proof that this is a legitimate cause. If it is real they should have available information that backs up their story. This is a very odd way to collect money. I have never heard of an organization looking for donations in this fashion?
|
Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 430
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:59 pm: |
|
I received the same letter and know it is from my neighbor across the street on Tuscan Road. If this jives with the address on your letter than it is legitimate, although probably not the best way to procure donations. I agree that SASE would have been better. If you are so inclined, why not call or email the student and her parents to relay your concerns. I have a mail slot so actually did not think too much of the delivery system, but I see your point. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 500
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
|
Morissa,
Just guessing here, but I think you are referring to the student whose parents are retired law enforcement types. If this is true then I agree that it is most definately legit. Still, an odd way to attract donations. |
Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 431
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:44 pm: |
|
correct. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7296
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 5:51 am: |
|
Letters: I looked the phone number up in the local phone directory (no need for reverse directory since the family name was given in the letter) and it matches.
Morrisa: It is clearly the same student. I never thought this was a scam but I do think it is an inappropriate way to go about collecting for charity. My question was whether I should contact the student with my concerns; not whether I should call the police or the postal service. |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 994
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 7:16 am: |
|
Since everything seems to be checking out, I'd call the student and tell her how I felt. Just to advise her, not to complain. It sounds like her heart was in the right place, but her letters weren't. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 504
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
|
Joan,
Had you combined your first two posts together I never would have suggested calling the police or the Postal Service. The second post changed the scenario greatly.
I have known this student and her family for many years. My son used to play with her down at Maplecrest Park when they were both toddlers. This is why I agreed with Morissa that this was most definitely not a scam.
She is a bright and energetic young lady. Contacting her with your concerns will go a long way. I can guarantee that she meant no harm and would appreciate someone advising her as to the concerns she may have raised in her efforts.
|
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7299
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 9:10 am: |
|
Thanks all.
Morrisa: The reason I did not post the girl's street or the proposed date/time of her collection, was to avoid a rash of people (kids especially) going house to house checking mailboxes in search of cash filled envelopes. This is another reason why I think this method of collection is a poor one. The girl has no way of knowing which of her neighbors are supporting her charitable effort and those making donations have no way of knowing if the money they are donating has been received.
I would urge anyone reading this thread who wants to support this fund raiser to deliver the money directly to the girl's mailbox, thereby avoiding this problem. |
Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 432
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
|
joan, please contact her with your concerns. I read over the letter and noticed that she does give an option of donating online. Why not email her and request the link if you are so inclined as to donate. Certainly dropping at her home is another option. I was trying to be circumspect as well and only mentioned the street in a general way. I certainly didn't want to post her name or details of the date and time etc. Just trying to be helpful. I was concerned about the fact that so many were assuming it was a scam. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4782
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
|
Letters
I thougt it was illegal to use the mailbox for anything other then what goes through the post office. The only thing that can be put in it besides mail that came from the post office is stamped outgoing mail for the mailperson to take. At least that's what we were told several years ago. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 511
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
|
1.0 Basic Standards
1.1 Authorized Depository
Except as excluded by 1.2, every letterbox or other receptacle intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail on any city delivery route, rural delivery route, highway contract route, or other mail route is designated an authorized depository for mail within the meaning of 18 USC 1702, 1705, 1708, and 1725.
1.2 Exclusions
Door slots and nonlockable bins or troughs used with apartment house mailboxes are not letterboxes within the meaning of 18 USC 1725 and are not private mail receptacles for the standards for mailable matter not bearing postage found in or on private mail receptacles. The post or other support is not part of the receptacle.
1.3 Use for Mail
Except under 2.11, the receptacles described in 1.1 may be used only for matter bearing postage. Other than as permitted by 2.10 or 2.11, no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by mail.
1.4 Clear Approach
Customers must keep the approach to their mailboxes clear of obstructions to allow safe access for delivery. If USPS employees are impeded in reaching a mail receptacle, the postmaster may withdraw delivery service.
+++
In plain English, a mailbox is a mailbox, a door slot is not. Therefore the rules and regulations differ for mail slots. In Joan’s case, she has a mail slot so anyone can put something through it. Pizza places and Chinese restaurants can put their menus through a slot, but not in, on or anyway attached to a mail box. However, if they show a disregard for whether they use mail boxes or slots, they could be charged postage for all of the deliveries they made to a neighborhood. If they just hit all of the mail slots, nothing could or would be done about it.
|
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 145
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
|
I can remember when I was a kid on a small street in Maplewood, one neighbor would take a collection for some charitable cause (I don't remember what) in this same way. Though one's mailbox is not for others to ransack, this old woman meant no harm, and used this method to make it easier for people to donate. Back then no one would have given any thought to the possibility of stealing from a mailbox, nor anyone meddling in other's affairs via the mailbox. |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 680
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 9:29 am: |
|
An aside,
I got a flyer from a neighbor's child offering household help. The flyer read "..I is a student at columbia high school.."
sigh
|
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1806
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 9:40 am: |
|
CageyD: At least the student wasn't offering his/her services as a tutor.  |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 682
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
|
Good point. |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 521
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
|
I spoke with the student's mom today just to let her know (should she hear about it through the grapevine) that I was the one who wanted to turn her daughter over to the police. We had a good laugh about it since I have known them for some time now. I finally saw a copy of the letter (am assuming there is only one version of the letter, but did not ask) and it had the student’s name, address, phone number with the offer to call her for an explanation if necessary. The letter seemed OK to me and I don't think I would have been troubled by it. However, I already knew the person sending it, so I am sure that has something to do with it.
Still, I suggested that maybe the next time she add either a flyer from whoever is sponsoring the event or some other information that would further explain what she is doing and avoid misunderstandings.
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page