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Can you believe it? The holiday mailing season is already here!
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Hi, I'm Andrea Avery, United States Postal Inspector. We have some tips for you -in fact we have twelve -to help you keep your mail safe.
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In this season of gift-giving, cash and gift cards are still a favorite. What’s not to like about receiving cash!
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Many people think they can slip a twenty-dollar bill or a gift card into a folded piece of paper and send it through the U.S. Postal Service.
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But is sending valuables in the mail a good idea?
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Although it's not illegal to mail cash or gift cards, you run the risk of having someone other than the intended recipient taking it.
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And there's often no paper trail to prove what was in the envelope. Why give mail thieves a crack at your hard-earned money?
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So, if you want to get money to someone, mail a check. You can track it through the Postal Service, and you'll know when it arrives.
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Using an electronic payment app or e-gift card is another way to send money. A third option is to wire it.
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If you want to make sure your gift arrives, purchase insurance before you mail. The Postal Service provides indemnity coverage
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for lost, damaged or rifled articles up to five thousand dollars.
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For more tips on protecting your mail, visit U-S-P-I-S dot gov. Let's keep your mail safe and your holidays happy.