USPS customers blame themselves for missing mail after finding paper slip in mailbox, leading to undelivered important letters

POSTAL service customers have been left raging after they found a slip of paper in their mailboxes blaming them for missing mail.

The USPS customers were forced to drive to the post office to fetch important documents but were met with yet another delay.

The motto of the United States Postal Service is “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

But residents in New Hampshire learned the hard way that snow can stop mail carriers in their tracks.

The Salem residents were told USPS would not deliver to their homes if they didn’t clear snow from their mailboxes.

“Last week was the worst I had ever seen,” resident Paul Jondle told NBC affiliate WBTS.

“One day, we got no mail at all, and I was expecting something very important.”

Windham resident Nicholas Moschilli found himself in a similar situation.

“My entire driveway was iced up even though it was salted and sanded,” he said, adding he came to the post office to get his mail.

“I’m trying to get my mail today, but service is a little slower than I want.”

USPS said the mail delays in Salem were the result of heavy snowfall, which made mailboxes inaccessible to delivery personnel.

The area saw back-to-back snow storms, the worst for the city since 2015, according to local public works staff.

“We haven’t seen snow piles like this in years,” said Thomas McPherson, the interim town administrator in Windham.

After the snow, USPS sent notices to customers, saying it’s their responsibility to clear snow from around mailboxes.

“The Postal Service depends on you to meet postal requirements regarding delivery and collection of mail to curbside boxes,” the note read.

“Please keep the full approach and exits to your mailbox clear, as illustrated in the examples below.”

To ensure mail delivery, the Postal Service has advised residents to clear away any obstacles such as trash cans, snow, and vehicles. This will allow mail carriers to safely deliver mail without needing to leave their vehicles.

USPS RESPONDS

“Carriers aren’t required to climb over a snowbank or dig to find a mailbox,” USPS spokesperson Steve Doherty told WBTS.

“In those rare cases, mail will be held at the Post Office until delivery can safely be made.”

Officials are hopeful the situation will improve as temperatures rise into the 40s later this week, which should help melt the remaining snow.

Salem Public Works Director Geoff Benson mentioned that if there are any issues, residents are encouraged to report them. The Public Works department will then send someone, such as a foreman, to assess the situation and provide assistance if possible.

USPS told The U.S. Sun in a statement, “The US Postal Service will make every reasonable effort to provide regular service to customers when it is safe to do so.

“Customers can help ensure their mail carrier can make safe deliveries by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs, porches, and any approach to mailboxes whether on a house or at the curb.

“Those with questions about their mail service can call the USPS Customer Care Center at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).”