How to Reach Out to the United States Postal Service: Assistance for Customers & More

1 (800) 275-8777 – Customer Service This is the primary customer service line for USPS, offering the best chance of speaking with a live representative. Follow the automated menus and provide your tracking or confirmation number for assistance.

• All USPS phone lines operate Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8:30 pm ET, and 8 am to 6 pm ET on Saturdays.
• For easy recall, remember this number as 1 (800) ASK-USPS.

1 (800) 222-1811 – Package Tracking To inquire about the whereabouts of a package, dial this number. Navigate through the automated menus and input your tracking details. Various options will be provided to help you locate your package.

• If you prefer to receive tracking updates via text, you can text 1-800-222-1811. Respond to the SMS prompts using HELP, INFO, AIDE, YES, or NO.

1 (800) 344-7779 – Tech Support For assistance with USPS's online features or tutorials, this number is ideal. Choose from “troubleshooting” or “how to” to access prerecorded guides on informed delivery, notification alerts, online profile setup, and more.

• Identified as “Processing and Distribution” on caller ID, making it the preferred option for business-related inquiries.

1 (844) 737-7826 – Stamp Orders & Store To receive help with stamp orders or purchasing mailing supplies, dial this number. Note that the operating hours differ from other lines, closing at 4:30 pm ET during weekdays and closed on Saturdays.

• For inquiries specifically about free shipping supplies, call 1 (800) 610-8734.

Utilize the “email us” form online if you possess a tracking or confirmation number. USPS adopts a broad interpretation of email, offering an online form rather than traditional email communication. Access the form by entering your tracking or confirmation number to submit your inquiry.

• If lacking a tracking or confirmation number, explore the FAQs on the “email us” page for potential assistance. Unfortunately, access to the web form requires a valid number.

Consider reaching out to [email protected] or [email protected] via email. Although USPS doesn’t publicize these email addresses, they provide alternative avenues for contacting them. Attempt sending an email to either address in hopes of eliciting a response from a representative who can offer assistance.

• The social media email may yield better results, as the USPS Postal One program website appears outdated.

Dial 1 (800) 275-8777 if equipped with a tracking number. Contacting a live person through the automated phone system necessitates a valid tracking number. Upon calling, follow the menu options, stating “tracking” or “package,” input your tracking number, and then specify “customer service” to connect with a representative.

• Although the purpose of the “tracking” and “package” options isn’t clear, both routes lead to a customer service agent. Other options like “stamps,” “mail,” and “tools” do not provide direct access to a representative.
• Expect to spend approximately 7 minutes navigating through the automated menu, so settle in and maintain patience.
• Tip: Mute your speaker until required to speak, as the automated system is highly sensitive to background noise. Interrupting it necessitates restarting the menu options.

Consider visiting a local USPS office for assistance. If you find yourself without a tracking or confirmation number, your best recourse may be to seek help in person at a physical post office. Unfortunately, USPS doesn't provide many alternatives for assistance in such cases.

Complete the USPS’s online form to file a claim. Gather your mailing receipt, tracking or label number, and proof of value (e.g., sales receipt, credit card statement). Capture photos of the damaged package and upload all necessary documents to your online account to initiate the claim process.

• Refer to the provided timetables here to determine the waiting period before filing a claim.
• Keep in mind that uninsured packages cannot be subject to a claim.
• Outside of filing a claim or contacting customer service at 1 (800) 275-8777, USPS doesn't offer a direct complaint avenue.

Fill out an online help request form to request assistance in locating your mail. Although it's frustrating, you need to complete the missing mail help form on the same “email us” page mentioned earlier. Provide your tracking or confirmation number and follow the instructions to submit the form.

• After submission, USPS claims they'll initiate an investigation, although the outcome is unclear.
• For incidents involving porch pirates or thieves, USPS will advise you to contact your local police for assistance.

Hand over the deceased person's mail to the executor for handling. If you're the executor, visit the post office to complete a change of address form to receive any remaining mail for the deceased. Otherwise, give any mail addressed to the deceased to the executor—they'll manage it accordingly.

• USPS won't accept any information from you regarding another person's mail (living or deceased) unless you're legally responsible for their estate, hence the role of the executor.
• If you reside at the same address as the deceased, you're permitted to handle their mail.