WARNING - Mail Sent using Recorded Delivery

AnjR

At the time of student grant applications in October my LEA sent my son's birth cert back to him via recorded delivery. Unfortunately, all that arrived was an empty envelope, posted through the mailbox and definitely not signed for. Despite writing to complain about the theft and the unsigned-for delivery the local sorting office manager has failed to reply. We continue to receive recorded delivery letters without signature - what a totally useless service.

My main reason for writing is to enquire if others have lost birth certs in the mail (especially since they must be easy targets for theft at grant application time in Sept/Oct) and to ask what would people suggest my son does to prevent the possibility of identity theft now or in the future, with his birth cert now in unknown hands.

Jasper

shrek101 wrote:

I once sent a recorded letter to Royal Mail as unfortunately I worked for them and that got lost. Recorded delivery is distributed differently to Special Delivery unless things have changed recently.

Recorded Delivery is handled the same way as normal mail accept at the point of delivery hence it should be signed for, but in some cases postman/woman signed for them although I never did this and I am sure most don't either, there always the odd rogue.

With Special delivery you pick up that mail at a special point and have to sign for it upon receipt, then it is signed again at the delivery point. There is also some insurance for valuable items and delivery is guaranteed where as Recorded isn't.

The only problem being is that Special Delivery cost £3.85, a bit much for a letter which does not contain any item of value, for which the royal mail would not pay you any compensation.

The point I make is why bother paying the recorded delivery price. When there is no guarantee of delivery. You might as well just send it with a !st class stamp and {Free} proof of posting certificate.

Cheers

Smiley_Mum

I guess Fedex, TNT, DHL are too expensive. Is the theft factor just as bad or not? Anyone know? Perhaps too expensive but I to safeguard against theft etc of particularly valuable items such as passports, ID documents etc etc then if it was a one off thing I would probably pay more for a reliable service.

shrek101

I am not defending Royal mail have my reasons to hate them.

I am just telling you as it was when I worked there for 14 years. All recorded delivery is, is proof of posting. Special delivery is expensive bacause the letter/packet is guaranteed next working day and there is some insurance. I think if you try to get the same sort of deal in the public sector you will pay far more.

Jasper wrote:

The only problem being is that Special Delivery cost £3.85, a bit much for a letter which does not contain any item of value, for which the royal mail would not pay you any compensation.

The point I make is why bother paying the recorded delivery price. When there is no guarantee of delivery. You might as well just send it with a !st class stamp and {Free} proof of posting certificate.

Cheers

soolin

AnjR wrote:

At the time of student grant applications in October my LEA sent my son's birth cert back to him via recorded delivery. Unfortunately, all that arrived was an empty envelope, posted through the mailbox and definitely not signed for. Despite writing to complain about the theft and the unsigned-for delivery the local sorting office manager has failed to reply. We continue to receive recorded delivery letters without signature - what a totally useless service.

My main reason for writing is to enquire if others have lost birth certs in the mail (especially since they must be easy targets for theft at grant application time in Sept/Oct) and to ask what would people suggest my son does to prevent the possibility of identity theft now or in the future, with his birth cert now in unknown hands.

A birth certificate is not much use really, despite what they try and persuade us on the TV about identity theft.

I research family history and can walk into the public records office, or even do it online now, and request a birth certificate for anyone I choose. When I am looking for a distant relative I often have to get two or three certificates before I get the right relative as the lists only show the name and place details and you need the full certificate to see details of parents and registration /jobs etc to confirm it is the person you want.

SOo

Jasper

I also reckon that most people using Recorded Delivery are not actually sending valuable items in the letter, but just documents {that are replaceable}. Also want reassurance that the letter has reached its destination.

Then due to the fact that royal mail treats recorded delivery as normal mail, no guarantee it gets to its destination. [Also recorded letters attract thieves} People should save their hard earned cash and send these documents as 1st class mail with proof of posting{FREE} if the letter does not reach it’s destination, you can still claim for compensation in replacing the documents or certificates. You have also saved money.

ibrahaj04

I agree it is a useless service, we had one delivered the other day it came through the post like the rest of the letters the postie didn't want a signature.

lellie

if you're sending things that people have paid for by paypal you must have a recorded proof of postage to prevent chargebacks for undelivery.. normal proof of postage is invalid.

elvis_bloggs

I have not seen my postie for ages, I think he has got lost.

digp

issue a summons against the royal mail in your local county court, it'll soon concentrate their mind on where the item went!