[Ginormous]

Okay, black helicopters, zombies, end days, and SHTF silliness aside, how often has anyone EVER had their mail searched by the US Postal Service?

In 46 years I've never had my mail opened intentionally by the USPS. Sure it's arrived banged up, torn, folded, spindled and mutilated before, but never this.

Any ideas why the USPS would do this?

The stamp on the front of the envelope says it all. Also notice the tape used to close the envelope flap, it's pretty much indicates they really did look inside.

What gives?

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww19/Ginormous_pics/DSCF1123.jpg

[mykeal]

It's not as ominous as it appears. They do that on a very small percentage of packages as a routine. I had it happen to me on an unsolicited credit card offer! My postmaster said it was to find people trying to take advantage of bulk rate and media rate postage discounts.

A couple of years ago my sportsman's club got warned about people using our postage paid return envelopes for personal mail. They gave us no specifics, just asked us to remind the membership about the rules.

[scrat]

Never ever had any package searched and believe me i have had enough

[Ginormous]

Thanks Mykeal, that makes sense. The envelope from Cabela's has a preprinted permit number in place of a stamp. Looks like the USPS is on their toes keeping Cabela's paying the right postage rates. Sure would hate to have that person's job though, as I can't imagine doing that task for any amount of pay.

It's also rather discomforting to know that my mail can be opened and inspected like that. I guess there is no Fourth Amendment protections for our mail.

[bigbadgun]

I dont care what anybody says that just aint right.

[messerist]

Sometimes if your mail appears damaged in transit the USPS will open it and inspect it to inventory what is actually in the package/envolope. This way they can ascertain at what link the damaged occurred and backtrack to see what needs to be fixed/who to arrested etc. etc. It also helps the addressee figure out what is missing. This was explained to me by my neighbor who has worked for the USPS for 35 years. I don't know if this is what occurred with your mail, but it is one possibility. That or get ready for some black helicopters to drop in.:)

[Ginormous]

The stamp on the envelope plainly says "Opened for Inspection . . ."

I guess what chaps me is that it COULD have been a credit card, and the account number borrowed by the well meaning postal employee. Either way, I still prefer my mail unopened.

Oh, and black helicopters be damned! I aren't scared, my zombie army will repel all!

[krs]

If it was a card 'borrowed' by anyone in the mailstream I doubt they'd stamp it like that.

It's likely as mykeal suggests - routine.

It's only first class mail that's considered private - this is a business mailing.

Who knows, maybe some Cabella's employee somewhere in the country has decided that his access to the postage meter makes it a great way to mail in his personal mail and save a stamp, and they're trying to make their case against him/her.