Hi, I am pretty new to the RC scene and these forums, so my apologies if this question has already been addressed. I tried searching but could not find anything. I opened a PO Box for the purpose of getting RCs shipped to me (I have other stuff shipped there too so as to appear less suspicious). The PO Box is in my real name. However, when requesting an order from an RC vendor, I have been using a slight misspelling of my name (e.g. Thompson instead of Thomson). I figure this makes me less likely to be contacted in the (hopefully) unlikely event that the DEA raids the supplier. For payment methods, I have been using money order, as I assume this is the least traceable method. My concern is that when I mail my money order to the supplier, I have no choice but to use the misspelled version of my name in the return address. I'm afraid that if this return address were subsequently entered into some post office database, it would come up as fake, and after finding out my real identity I might be red-flagged for future shipments. My basic line of thought is this: it's one thing for the sender to misspell the name of the recipient, that happens all the time...but if the sender misspells his own name in the return address? That might arouse suspicion. Am I being too paranoid?
you don't have to put your name on the return address of the envelope at all. it's best to put your return address, but it DOES NOT need a name. problem solved
This ^^^ However, (my opinion) a po box is no more safe than a physical address, especially if its actually at the post office. Even at a mailbox place, it is subject to all the same laws as any other address. (fact) A money order can provide some anonymity, but once it's in the postal system whatever the item is is tied to you. The easy out is not signing for anything. Note: there is no need in most cases (unless vendor insists) to use your real name or even close to it on a money order. A recipient can cash it whether its your name or not, as long as his name or company is correct. If I mail a check or money order to the electric company, or just about anyone else I can think of, they don't care what name is on it. They just want their invoice paid.
Money Transfer my brother, e-mail is like mail but only electronic and a lot harder to get lost. id assume if hes takeing money orders hell take money transfers so u can just email him numbers instead of stuffing envelopes
Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up mailing it with the return address but no name. Might look into money transfer next time. I do believe I'm getting a little too paranoid about this whole affair, as evidenced by my dream last night where cops knocked at my door with a complaint from the neighbors saying they could smell 2C-E coming from my pupils.
I don't think the post office records return addresses for First Class mail (and maybe not Priority, but I'm pretty sure they do for Express Mail). I know they have an image of every piece of first class mail and that is how all mail is routed by zip code, but I really DON'T think they record the return address. You can put it on the back of the envelope and they won't see it unless they have to return the mail to sender.
