How To Keep Your Address Private

If you're concerned about your privacy, and want to protect yourself from identity theft, or even excess junk mail, then this is the place for you.There are steps you can take to keep your home address private.If your address is publicised, you can either rent a private mailbox or remove it.

Step 1: You should remove your address from websites that publish it.

If you do a search for your address, you will find it.Contact the administrator of any site that lists your address and ask them to remove it.The instructions on the website for removing your address listing can be found on some of the biggest 'people search' sites.You will have to email and ask them for smaller sites.If there is a contact form on the site, use it; if not, try contact@[nameofsite].com.

Step 2: You can submit a removal request.

Even after a site admin removes content that lists your address, it may still show up in searches.If you want to remove this information from the search results, you can submit a request to Google.Enter the URL of the page you want to take down at www.google.com/webmasters/tools/removals.

Step 3: You can remove your address from mailing lists.

You can opt out of receiving mail by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT or visiting www.optoutprescreen.com.When you call or visit the website, you'll be asked to provide some personal details, including your home telephone number, name, Social Security number and date of birth.They will only be used to process your request to opt out.

Step 4: You have to sign up for a PO Box.

You won't have to give out your real address to receive mail and packages.At poboxes.usps.com, you can reserve a USPS PO Box.To find private alternatives, use the internet to search for private mailbox rental.USPS PO boxes and private mailbox rentals now give you the option of a street address, so senders don't have to know you're using a PO Box

Step 5: You need to collect your keys.

You can get the keys for your box from the Post Office.There are two forms of ID you need to bring.

Step 6: Direct your mail to another location.

You can access the USPS website at https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm.Click 'Get Started' if you want to change your address.If you want to forward mail for an individual, family, or business, you have to enter your name and address details.You don't have to pay for redirecting your mail with USPS.