Is A Mail Scanning Service Safe?
Mail scanning services bring you massive digital benefits—including enhanced security!
Did you know that postal robberies increased 400% over the past three years? 400%! According to investigators, some of that activity remains pretty harmless, but the vast majority of it involved scary possibilities like check-selling, identity theft, and even copied mail keys.
With so much mail-related crime, you may have considered making the switch to online mail scanning. But the question arises, Is my information any safer online? After all, digitally storing sensitive information brings its own set of worries.
Below, we’ll answer this question once and for all. We’ll walk you through mail scanning benefits, security measures, and why a virtual mailbox might be a safer option than you realize.
What is a mail scanning service?
A mail scanning service scans your mail into an online portal so that you can decide what to do with each piece. As letters and packages are received by your mail scanning service, employees scan the outside of the envelopes, and then you can log into your account and sort your mail for opening, forwarding, and shredding.
It’s basically an online preview of all your mail—but with the added power of pre-shredding those pesky junk flyers.
Many people also refer to mail scanning services as virtual mailboxes or mail forwarding services! The terms aren’t always 100% interchangeable, but for the most part, if you’re talking about mail scanning, you’re probably talking about a service offered by a virtual mailbox company.
What are the pros of a mail scanning service?
The game-changing benefits of a mail scanning service? Convenience and safety. Whether you’re a temporary or permanent user, mail scanning services let you:
- Conquer mail thieves! Thieves can’t steal your mail if it’s locked in a private facility under 24/7 surveillance. Mail scanning keeps your mail secure and away from any sticky fingers.
- Receive your mail when YOU want it! With mail scanning, you get daily oversight of your mail and packages without having to trek to a P.O. Box. Mail scanning services (with your say-so) can easily open and scan all postal mail for instant viewing, then forward urgent pieces to you at your convenience.
- Store your mail digitally! Gone are the days of drawers and drawers full of pesky paperwork. Especially if you’re a small business, digital mail storage lets you keep the papers you need in a free, organized online space. It’s the same reason so many companies are scanning their hard-copy records right now—no one likes boxes of dusty paper.
- Access your mail from anywhere! Even if you don’t have a permanent address, you should still be able to receive your mail when and where it’s convenient for your lifestyle. When your mail is digital, it doesn’t matter if you’re at home, at work, or on a cross-country trip. Online mail accounts let you view your mail from any device at any time.
- Organize your mail! If you’re on the go, you don’t have the time or space to deal with giant mail deliveries. With a mail scanning service, you can skip over the junk and just receive the pieces you need.
What are the cons of a mail scanning service?
The only con to a mail scanning service is the potential expense. Unlike a standard house, office, or apartment mailbox, mail scanning services require monthly (or annual) fees to scan, sort, and receive your mail.
However, if you’re in a position where you need a virtual mailbox, chances are that the benefits outweigh the costs.
Traveling? Mail scanning keeps your mail safe and prevents expensive packages from “going missing.” Working on the go? Mail scanning keeps you up-to-date and in business. Overseas military? Mail scanning keeps your letters safe and secure, even if you’re transferred to a different location.
Additionally, mail scanning should never be expensive. If a service seems like it’s trying to overcharge you, it probably is. Always cross-check prices across companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal!
How does a mail scanning service keep my mail safe?
Mail scanning might sound dangerous, but it’s actually one of the most effective ways to keep your mail safe. All mail goes through a third-party delivery system. For most of us, that third party is the USPS—which now offers mail preview scanning services even though they cannot open your mail for you.
The real question then becomes, how do I know which third party is the most secure?
The USPS is very safe for those of us who can pick up our mail daily. But for everyone else, mail scanning services add a vital layer of security.
With a mail scanning service, you’re working with trained professionals on a secure digital platform. A good mail scanning service barcodes each piece of mail, monitors their facilities 24/7, and maintains HIPAA compliance. All of these security measures give you transparent control of your mail and packages that you simply don’t have when you’re working with a traditional mailbox.
You need a virtual mail and mail scanning service you can trust.
At Traveling Mailbox, we believe your virtual mailbox and mail scanning service should relieve your stress, not add to it. That’s why we take every security precaution to ensure your privacy. From video surveillance, to background checks, to barcoding, to on-site shredding, we guarantee your mail’s safety when it’s in our care.
Try Traveling Mailbox today to take advantage of the most affordable mail scanning service and virtual mailbox on the market.