Can you buy unclaimed mail in illinois

In Illinois, unclaimed mail, also known as "dead mail" or "undeliverable mail," is typically handled by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Illinois Secretary of State's office. Here's what you need to know:

USPS:

The USPS has a process for handling unclaimed mail, which is typically sent to their dead mail facility in Chicago. The facility sorts and processes the mail, and then it's either:

  1. Destroyed: If the mail is deemed worthless or has no value, it's destroyed.
  2. Sold: The USPS may sell unclaimed mail to a third-party vendor, who then tries to reunite the mail with its intended recipient.
  3. Donated: Some unclaimed mail is donated to charities or organizations that use it for fundraising purposes.

You can't directly purchase unclaimed mail from the USPS, but you can try contacting their dead mail facility in Chicago to see if they have any unclaimed mail available for sale. Here's the contact information:

Illinois Secretary of State's office:

The Illinois Secretary of State's office also handles unclaimed property, including unclaimed mail. They have a process for claiming unclaimed property, including mail, which is typically handled through their Unclaimed Property Division.

You can search for unclaimed mail on the Illinois Secretary of State's website using their Unclaimed Property Search tool. If you find a match, you can submit a claim form to try to claim the unclaimed mail.

Private companies:

There are also private companies that specialize in buying and selling unclaimed mail, including mail that's been sent to the USPS dead mail facility. These companies may offer unclaimed mail for sale to the public. Some examples of these companies include:

Keep in mind that these companies may charge a fee for their services, and the quality and value of the unclaimed mail they offer may vary.

In summary, while you can't directly buy unclaimed mail from the USPS, you can try contacting their dead mail facility in Chicago or searching for unclaimed mail on the Illinois Secretary of State's website. Private companies may also offer unclaimed mail for sale, but be sure to research their reputation and fees before making a purchase.