Just did some reading into this subject, which recently became of interest. Found a good book on the topic.
How to Use Mail Drops for Privacy and Profit, by Jack Luger, 1988, 112 pp, illustrated, soft cover. Available by mail from: Loompanics Unlimited, PO Box 1197, Port Townsend, WA 98368
By law, U.S. Postal Service employees must examine and make a record of two pieces of identification for anyone renting a mailbox. The law also requires that private vendors of mailboxes, or "mail-drops," must also see identification and keep records of your name and address.
One employee at a mail-drop explained that he was required by law to have all box renters fill out an address form and present two pieces of identification. He added, though, that no law required him to make certain that the name and address on the IDs matched those on the address form.
He suggested that anyone wanting an anonymous mail box fill in the address form with fictional information. Two subsequent attempts to rent a box at other mail-drops using this technique resulted in one refusal and one anonymous mailbox.
Different vendors provide different services. For example, some mail-drops include keys for 24-hour access to your mail. Prices also vary wildly. A new vendor will often offer great introductory pricing for a mail-drop. Shop around for the features you want. Most shipping and postal service stores have mailboxes to rent, and some storage lockers offer mailboxes.
There are no automatic mail forwarding privileges associated with mail-drop mailboxes. If you close a U.S. Postal Service mailbox, your mail will be forwarded for 6 months or more, at no charge, to any place in the U.S. If you allow your mail-drop box to close, your mail will not normally be forwarded to you. Some mail-drops provide for forwarding for a price, however.
The most complete review of mail drops can be found in Jack Luger's book, How to Use Mail Drops for Privacy and Profit, which is published by Loompanics. Luger walks you through all the various ways you can use these devices to enhance your postal privacy. In Part I, he discusses need greater mail privacy. He points out, for example, that although it takes a court order for government or postal agents to open your first- class mail, no such restrictions pertain to a "mail cover."
In a mail cover, the postal agent (who can be anyone from your letter carrier to the person who sells you stamps) simply notes the address on all mail delivered to your address. "In one sense, this is worse than a court-ordered opening of the mail," writes Luger, "because it's indiscriminate. Anyone who sends a letter or package to an address under surveillance can wind up on a list of suspects."
"Holy shit, would you look at that?" - Flip (8/4/2002)