How many times have you come across vacant properties, that you can not find the owner? Last week I heard of a very simple and effective way to get a forwarding address. It all started when I was in the post office. I overheard a conversation with the postmaster a customer was having. This person who was speaking to the postmaster wanted to to find someone who owed him money and he wasn’t having a lot of luck. He knew that the person had moved to another city, but that was all he knew. He had originally tried getting the post master to get the forwarding address, but the post office informed him that they would only release a forwarding address to a law enforcement officer, licensed private investigator or under court order. BUT the post master had a better solution… To get a forwarding address you simply have to send the person a letter and include the following clearly below the return address:

– Do Not Forward –
– Return Service Requested –

When you send the letter the post office will NOT forward it. What they will do is send the letter back to you with a yellow sticker that has the new address. This takes about 3 – 5 days. Yes, it is that simple. Total cost…. one envelope and thirty-seven cents for postage.

You can use this technique to quickly locate absentee owners who have left a forwarding address with the post office.