When is a certified letter a good thing?

Seriously, has anyone EVER received a certified letter (not package) and it's been good news? Me, NEVER! In fact, the only time I've received certified mail was when I was being sued and it was a horrible time in my life.

Last night I got home and there was the "dreaded" pink slip from the post office telling me to come get my letter and sign for it. It didn't state whot he sender is and it was too late by the time I got the notice to go to the post office.

I know for a fact I don't owe anyone money and the IRS has already given me my return for this year, so it's not that. I don't own any property. The only thing I can think of is I wrote a negative google review about a mechanic and he threatened to sue me, so this morning I checked the county and state courthouse records to see if anyone had brought suit against me and nothing there. I don't know if I should be more worried or less ;-)

It could be good news like you have inherited millions or you won the lottery. well that's what I hope for.

Delfin said:

It could be good news like you have inherited millions or you won the lottery. well that's what I hope for.

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That's very sweet, but I don't play the lottery and the only relatives I have are my siblings and parents and they better still be alive

It could be a long lost relative :54:

My guess is jury duty.

strudel said:

My guess is jury duty.

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I've served on jury duty within the last 6 months and that notice came in the regular mail, but could be.

strudel said:

My guess is jury duty.

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Strudel, you're giving our courts too much credit...they're certainly not that philanthropic around here, in fact most jurisdictions here in the States assume an item has been delivered when it is delivered into the hands of our postal service, however, when someone wants proof of service/delivery they usually send it certified, but I don't think a court clerk in charge of jury notifications has a budget for certified notice delivery.....we're cheaper than that ! ! !

Even though our postal workers used to complete the sender's name on the delivery notices, maybe that was negotiated out of their duties in their last contract talks ? ? ?


Good luck Karen.....

Maybe so Weco, after all under "printed name" it only says "KAREN"

Does anyone owe you money? Like backed child support or a settlement or something? Those often come certified mail It could also be a subpoena if you have to testify about a crime or car accident you witnessed (even if it was years and years ago and is just made its way to the top of the stack in the courts now).

Years ago (like more than a decade..lol) I worked for a lawyer and he advised everyone to not pick up certified letters. Didn't make sense to me since he sent certified letters from time to time so.....

Can you call the post office and ask where it was sent from? That might give you a clue as to what it might be. Maybe you will break the cycle and it will be something good.

The first few letters the IRS send you even if they think you owe money are sent regular first class.

Jury duty (neither Federal nor NJ) doesn't come that way either.

The one time I did have to send Certified mail to my neighbors was to notify them about the variance I was applying for (along with posting a sign in my front yard). It could be something like that.

The zip code should be on the call tag you got.

In most cases DELIVERY Isn't necessary to prove legal service (when service is permitted by mail). The certification that the letter was SENT is sufficient.

I hate certified letters...but then again I'm in the middle of foreclosure.

I hope it's good news for you and you can get to the post office quickly.

Oh this is way too much excitement here!

Karen, whatever it is, I hope and pray it's GOOD news!!!

Why only a first name though? Could it be some sort of hoax?

I have only gotten one certified letter and it was great! I use to send certified letters for work and they were never good. Well my boyfriend at the time signed for the letter. I opened it, it was a check for $2400 from a dealership I had bought my truck from but I thought it was an ad like here is your down payment, come buy a new vehicle I didn't pitch it because there was an affidavit with it so I looked into it and found there had been a class action law suit and the dealership had to refund customers for extended warranties that were purchased. Soooo there is one positive story. Call the post office and see if they will tell you who the sender is. Good luck!

My postal person always puts who the send is on the card for me.

weco said:

they're certainly not that philanthropic around here,

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It's not philanthropy, you get into trouble if you don't show up. Maybe it's an invitation to something important? A wedding? Christening?

Jury duty is usually just a letter or a post card.

I have had a good one. Years ago, I was overcharged on my Auto Insurance, and it turns out the insurance company had deposited funds into a State Trust account on my behalf, because they couldn't find me at a 20 year old address...

Occasionally, it's a recall notice, on something that's a serious safety issue, and they need to prove they put you on notice of it.

So it does happen.

Usually, you're right, it's not necessarily good news.

The IRS sends a notice, but that doesn't stop them from just automatically seizing stuff. This is the notice that we have frozen your assets, and are taking your paychecks until further notice...

However, in a lawsuit, if they can prove they sent it to you, they have done their due diligence. Refusing to pick it up, doesn't make the problem go away. You could waive your right to defend yourself. You have deadlines to answer, if that is what this is. It means you usually find out how bad the damage is, after it's done, and it's too late or difficult to do something about it.

The sooner you pick it up the sooner you can deal with it. What ever it is. Not knowing, and playing guessing games is worse...

4dugnlee said:

Years ago (like more than a decade..lol) I worked for a lawyer and he advised everyone to not pick up certified letters. Didn't make sense to me since he sent certified letters from time to time so.....

Can you call the post office and ask where it was sent from? That might give you a clue as to what it might be. Maybe you will break the cycle and it will be something good.

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I did call the main number and they told me I had to call the local number. I called the local number and they told me they couldn't tell me. I politely asked for a supervisor and she told me "I am the supervisor!" and hung up.

Birdman666 said:

Jury duty is usually just a letter or a post card.

I have had a good one. Years ago, I was overcharged on my Auto Insurance, and it turns out the insurance company had deposited funds into a State Trust account on my behalf, because they couldn't find me at a 20 year old address...

Occasionally, it's a recall notice, on something that's a serious safety issue, and they need to prove they put you on notice of it.

So it does happen.

Usually, you're right, it's not necessarily good news.

The IRS sends a notice, but that doesn't stop them from just automatically seizing stuff. This is the notice that we have frozen your assets, and are taking your paychecks until further notice...

However, in a lawsuit, if they can prove they sent it to you, they have done their due diligence. Refusing to pick it up, doesn't make the problem go away. You could waive your right to defend yourself. You have deadlines to answer, if that is what this is. It means you usually find out how bad the damage is, after it's done, and it's too late or difficult to do something about it.

The sooner you pick it up the sooner you can deal with it. What ever it is. Not knowing, and playing guessing games is worse...

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I agree, as much as I prefer the ostrich approach I don't see how it's helpful for me.

I know it's not the IRS since I just got my tax return. I did look up Harris County court cases (fun that you can look up if you're being sued) and I'm not listed as a defendant. I have been sued before and that old case still showed (as resolved.)

Wendy, I wish it was a hoax, but unfortunately I know my mail man and he's freaking lazy. We literally have found our mail in the middle of the cul de sac and down the street and other mailboxes. He just doesn't care. I once found my mail rubber banded to the "flag." I have no idea why since it would have easily fit in the box.

PS..........once I get whatever it is I will update everyone! But it won't be until after work.