In an effort to avoid fraud, the United States Postal Service has made some changes to their new address policy.
Previously, one could choose to initiate a Change of Address Request online, by mail, or in person at a local USPS retail office. Both the online and by-mail options alone left too much room for fraud, allowing anyone to potentially forward any unsuspecting person's mail to a new address.
Now, to ensure accurate identity verification, the USPS requests that anyone changing their address must visit a local retail location in addition to submitting a request online, by mail, or in person. Upon submitting the request, the requestee will receive an email with a QR code. They must then visit a USPS location to present their driver's license and the QR code they received.
Both steps must be completed to have mail forwarded to a new location. Failure to fill out a Change of Address form and visit a location for identity verification means that a mail carrier will deliver all accumulated mail from the old location back to the nearest post office. The post office will keep the mail for 10 calendar days.