Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack

Friday, March 14, 2014

Caroline discusses virtues of tomatoes & peppers MAFC Iron Chef Hyatt Chesapeake

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Caroline discusses virtues of tomatoes & peppers MAFC Iron Chef Hyatt Chesapeake

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Caroline and her Iron Chef MidAtlantic Farm Credit cooking team Hyatt Cheaspeake

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Caroline and her Iron Chef MidAtlantic Farm Credit cooking team Hyatt Cheaspeake

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Caroline Babylon is awarded Distinguished Service Award MAFC annual emp event

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Caroline Babylon is awarded Distinguished Service Award MAFC annual emp event

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MidAtlantic Farm Credit annual employee meetings at Chesapeake Hyatt Cambridge

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The New Farm Bill and 2014 Crop Insurance Coverage - MidAtlantic Farm Credit

The New Farm Bill and 2014 Crop Insurance Coverage - MidAtlantic Farm Credit:

"Posted on: March 13, 2014
By: Matt Ritenour, crop insurance specialist" http://www.mafc.com/blog/business-agriculture-new-farm-bill-2014-crop-insurance-coverage/

With the March 15 crop insurance deadline quickly approaching for corn and soybeans, there is a common question on many farmers’ minds: how will the new Farm Bill affect my crop insurance coverage, and what will that mean for my out-of-pocket costs?

The good news is that the previous crop insurance subsidy levels and products are still in place so that producers don’t have to learn about new products and possibly make rash decisions before this week’s deadline. Longer term, the Farm Bill will result in numerous innovative features for the crop insurance program.

What Producers Should Look at for the 2014 Crop Year - Read more: http://www.mafc.com/blog/business-agriculture-new-farm-bill-2014-crop-insurance-coverage/

'via Blog this'

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Mid-week Lenten Worship Service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster

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Mid-week Lenten Worship Service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster

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African American Heritage Preservation Grant Presentation at CC NonProfit Ctr

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African American Heritage Preservation Grant Presentation at CC NonProfit Ctr

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Federal Civil Defense Administration Duck and Cover air raid drills

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Federal Civil Defense Administration Duck and Cover air raid drills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=120wGLgCTkg
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Sharyl Attkisson resigns from CBS News - POLITICO.com

Sharyl Attkisson resigns from CBS News - POLITICO.com:

By DYLAN BYERS | 3/10/14 http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/03/sharyl-attkisson-to-leave-cbs-news-184836.html?hp=f3

CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson has reached an agreement to resign from CBS News ahead of contract, bringing an end to months of hard-fought negotiations, sources familiar with her departure told POLITICO on Monday.

Attkisson, who has been with CBS News for two decades, had grown frustrated with what she saw as the network’s liberal bias, an outsize influence by the network’s corporate partners and a lack of dedication to investigative reporting, several sources said. She increasingly felt that her work was no longer supported and that it was a struggle to get her reporting on air.

At the same time, Attkisson’s reporting on the Obama administration, which some staffers characterized as agenda-driven, had led network executives to doubt the impartiality of her reporting. She is currently at work on a book — tentatively titled “Stonewalled: One Reporter’s Fight for Truth in Obama’s Washington” — that addresses the challenges of reporting critically on the administration.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/03/sharyl-attkisson-to-leave-cbs-news-184836.html?hp=f3

'via Blog this'

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Sharyl Attkisson Resigns From CBS News (Politico / Dylan Byers on Media)

CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson has reached an agreement to resign from CBS News ahead of contract, bringing an end to months of hard-fought negotiations, sources said. Attkisson, who has been with CBS News for two decades, had grown frustrated with what she saw as the network's liberal bias, an outsized influence by the network's corporate partners and a lack of dedication to investigative reporting, several sources said. She increasingly felt like her work was no longer supported and that it was a struggle to get her reporting on air.

The Washington Post / Erik Wemple Rumors of Attkisson's stormy relations with her superiors at CBS News have made the rounds for months. In conversations from last year, CBS News sources said that Attkisson was frustrated that more of her reporting on Benghazi and other investigative pieces didn't make The CBS Evening News with greater frequency.

HuffPost The Emmy-winning reporter also made headlines in 2013 after CBS News confirmed that her computers had been hacked. Attkisson had suggested that "there could be some relationship" between the suspicious activity and the government's probes into the Associated Press and Fox News' James Rosen.

The Department of Justice denied that possibility, and the network also addressed it in a statement in August, saying, "To be clear, the federal government has not been accused in the intrusion of Attkisson's computer; CBS News is continuing to work to identify the responsible party."

The Washington Times Attkisson began negotiating with CBS News president David Rhodes as early as last April about getting out of her contract. She announced her resignation to her 41,000 Twitter followers Monday with the simple message: "I have resigned from CBS." TVNewser Attkisson, a Washington-based investigative correspondent, called her time at CBS News "one of life's great privileges" and said she is "grateful for the many opportunities I've had."

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Washington Post: Affordable Care Act enrollment drops off in February

BY JASON MILLMAN March 11, 2014

About 4.2 million people have signed up for health plans on Obamacare exchanges through the end of February. That makes it unlikely that the Obama administration will hit the estimate of 6 million enrollees by the end of March.

Whatever momentum was building in January appeared to drop off in February. The numbers -- which were released a day before Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on the Hill -- also show young people aren't enrolling at rates officials had predicted. That group is key because they are generally presumed to be healthier and less costly.

Read more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/03/11/obamacare-bummer-enrollment-drops-off-in-february/

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65 listen George Murphy Historical Soc CC talk Indentured Servants at Grace Ch

#KED

65 listen George Murphy Historical Soc CC talk Indentured Servants at Grace Ch

#KED

Monday, March 10, 2014

Taxing Marylanders until they flee - By Ellen Sauerbrey and Dee Hodges Friday, March 7, 2014

SAUERBREY: Taxing Marylanders until they flee

Squeezing high earners to fill state coffers has opposite effect

By Ellen Sauerbrey and Dee Hodges Friday, March 7, 2014

Maryland, one of the bluest of blue states, is the poster child demonstrating that taxing the rich fails to balance the state budget.

Yet Democrats, who have complete monopoly control on all branches of state government, continue to think that doing the same thing over and over will lead to a different result.

Because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in America. Still, it is plagued by fiscal woes. In a vain attempt to eliminate Maryland’s structural deficit, the administration of Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown has raised taxes, tolls and fees more than 80 times since 2007, while increasing overall government spending by $9.6 billion, or 32 percent, over the same period.

This oppressive tax-and-spend climate is hurting Maryland’s families and forcing many of them to leave the state.

Wealthy and middle-class citizens have been fleeing Maryland, thus denying the state the ability to tax any of their income. Small businesses are moving their jobs to friendlier states.

Between 2000 and 2010, 66,000 people left the state, taking $5.5 billion with them. Maryland has also lost at least 6,500 small businesses.

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News from The Hill Rubio warns of UN Internet 'takeover' - By Kate Tummarello

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) plans to introduce legislation to prevent a “takeover” of the Internet by the United Nations or another government regime.

Speaking Monday at Google’s office in Washington, the possible presidential contender said he will introduce legislation to codify U.S. support of an open Internet as other countries attempt to control its growth.

Read the story here.

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Lawmakers respond to ground-rent ruling - Tim Wheeler March 3, 2014

Lawmakers respond to ground-rent ruling - Tim Wheeler March 3, 2014

Legislation aims to address court's decision overturning key reform

Lawmakers in Annapolis moved Monday night to take another look at Maryland's arcane ground-rent system only days after the state's highest court invalidated a key element of sweeping reforms enacted seven years ago.

Emergency ground-rent bills were introduced in both House and Senate to, as one sponsor put it, "resurrect" some of the provisions of the law declared unconstitutional Wednesday by the Court of Appeals.

Since Colonial times, many homes in Baltimore and around the state sit on ground that is owned by a separate leaseholder. Homeowners on those properties are legally required to pay rent, usually twice a year, to the holder of the ground rent. Until 2007, ground-rent owners seeking to collect unpaid rents could seize homes through "ejectment," sell them and keep all the money, regardless of the amount owed.

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Ten States (Including Maryland) With the Most Fraud Complaints By Thomas C. Frohlich

Ten States With the Most Fraud Complaints By Thomas C. Frohlich

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/03/07/ten-states-with-the-most-fraud-complaints/?utm_source=247WallStDailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MAR072014A&utm_campaign=DailyNewsletter

Fraud and scams cost Americans more than $1.6 billion last year. According to a report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there were more than 2 million cases of fraud in 2013, down slightly from the previous year...

Read more: Ten States With the Most Fraud Complaints - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/03/07/ten-states-with-the-most-fraud-complaints/#ixzz2vWwJ0Dz0
Follow us: @247wallst on Twitter | 247wallst on Facebook

[...]

6. Maryland http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/03/07/ten-states-with-the-most-fraud-complaints/2/

> Complaints per 100,000 population: 667.7
> Total complaints: 39,582 (14th most)
> Identity theft complaints per 100,000: 95.5 (6th most)
> 2007-2012 home value change: -19.3% (7th worst)

There were more than 5,660 reports of identity theft in the state last year, 19% of which were categorized as credit card fraud, a higher proportion than in all but a few states.

Residents had the highest student loan debt as of the beginning of this year, with $32,470 on average. Credit card debt was also much higher than in most other states, according to Credit Karma. Also, 14% of all fraud and other complaints were made against banks and lenders, the most of any state in the nation last year. The state’s housing market may be making residents more susceptible to fraud. Home values fell by nearly 20% between 2007 and 2012, more than in all but a handful of states. http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/03/07/ten-states-with-the-most-fraud-complaints/2/

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Sunday, March 09, 2014

'Maxim' Magazine Sold to Operator of Steak 'n Shake Restaurants

'Maxim' Magazine Sold to Operator of Steak 'n Shake Restaurants:

http://mashable.com/2014/02/28/maxim-magazine-sold-to-operate-of-steak-n-shake-restaurants/

"BY JASON ABBRUZZESE FEB 28, 2014

A smart business deal can help diversify a business or appeal to a core user. Sometimes the best do both.

Maxim magazine has been bought by Biglari Holdings, a company that operates Steak 'n Shake among other businesses, according to a press release. Biglari currently does not operate any other media outlets, according to its website.

Maxim will continue to operate independently. "Maxim's inclusion into our collection of companies will benefit from our financial strength. We plan to build the business on multiple dimensions, thereby energizing our readership and viewership," said Sardar Biglari, chief executive of Biglari Holdings.

The magazine was said to be entertaining bids of around $20 million in summer 2013. The company that operates Maxim, Alpha Media Group, was most recently sold in September to Darden Media for an undisclosed sum.

'via Blog this'

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Cardinal Dolan on Michael Sam: “Bravo ... I would have no sense of judgment on him..." - FishbowlDC

Cardinal Dolan on Michael Sam: “Bravo” - FishbowlDC:

"In a pre-recorded interview on “Meet the Press” to air this Sunday, Cardinal Dolan of New York told David Gregory that he had no judgement for gay NFL player Michael Sam."

By Patrick Tutwiler on March 7, 2014

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/cardinal-dolan-on-michael-sam-bravo_b123793
From the interview:

DAVID GREGORY: Michael Sam, from your home state, the football player, revealed that he was gay, first in the NFL. And you saw the celebration from the President, the First Lady, and they were saying what a courageous step that was. How did you view it?

CARDINAL DOLAN: Good for him. I would have no sense of judgment on him. God bless ya. I don’t think, look, the same bible that tells us that teaches us well about the virtues of chastity and the virtue of fidelity and marriage also tells us not to judge people. So I would say, “Bravo.”

Cardinal Dolan also said that Pope Francis would probably meet with victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, and that he “would be surprised if he did not.”

For the full interview, watch “Meet the Press” this Sunday.

Tags: David Gregory Read more: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/cardinal-dolan-on-michael-sam-bravo_b123793

'via Blog this'

Cardinal Dolan on Michael Sam: “Bravo ... I would have no sense of judgment on him..." - FishbowlDC

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Anchorage doesn't have enough homes to meet demand - BY DEVIN KELLY

Anchorage doesn't have enough homes to meet demand | Anchorage | ADN.com:

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/03/anchorage-doesnt-have-enough-homes-to.html

BY DEVIN KELLY March 8, 2014 http://www.adn.com/2014/03/08/3364917/anchorages-housing-shortage-extends.html#emlnl=Morning_Newsletter

[...]

The Hoods' situation reflects the increasingly visible problem of "housing gridlock" in Anchorage. People at all income levels can't afford to move up in the market, so the buyers below them can't move up, either.

Not enough houses and apartments are being built to meet current and future demand, analysts say. Housing costs are rising, forcing families to make tough financial decisions.

Local business leaders are warning that the trend threatens to hurt the local economy. When it comes to housing, Anchorage is the 20th most expensive city in the United States, according to a recent national cost-of-living survey. Businesses large and small say the cost of housing is making it more difficult to hire and keep workers.

A growing pool of data compiled by United Way of Anchorage consultants hints at the scope of the problem. Some examples:

• An Anchorage household must earn $100,000 a year to afford an average-priced home, $65,000 a year to afford a condo and $50,000 a year to rent a two-bedroom apartment.

• According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, "affordable" is defined as paying 30 percent or less of household income for housing. About half of Anchorage renters pay 30 percent of their income in housing. A fifth of Anchorage renters pay 50 percent or more.

• Workers in 21 of the 25 most common jobs in Anchorage cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment, and workers in 18 of these jobs cannot afford a one-bedroom rental apartment.

[...]

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2014/03/08/3364917/anchorages-housing-shortage-extends.html#emlnl=Morning_Newsletter

'via Blog this'

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Saturday, March 08, 2014

Georgeous sunset over Westminster MD

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Georgeous sunset over Westminster MD

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Last signs of a long winter show through along the Wakefield Terry Burk trail

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Last signs of a long winter show through along the Wakefield Terry Burk trail

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Maggie Ball and Judy Goodyear chat during Sue Helmken's opening at Off Track Art

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Maggie Ball and Judy Goodyear chat during Sue Helmken's opening at Off Track Art

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Sue Helmken the barefoot weaver explains her approach to art with textiles

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Sue Helmken the barefoot weaver explains her approach to art with textiles

Sue Helmken the barefoot weaver explains her approach to art with textiles at her Off Track Art opening

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Westminster Cup at 1 East Main St. in the historic downtown is packed.

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Westminster Cup at 1 East Main St. in the historic downtown is packed.

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Friday, March 07, 2014

Associated Publishers Network magazine renewal complaints

March 7, 2014

Associated Publishers Network

(866) 437-7897

850 S Boulder Hwy Ste 355, Henderson, NV 89015-7564

https://www.google.com/search?q=Associated+Publishers+Network&oq=Associated+Publishers+Network&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.15897j0j1&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

According to the BBB in southern Nevada, http://www.bbb.org/southern-nevada/business-reviews/publishers-magazine/associated-publishers-network-in-henderson-nv-90014293:

BBB has received a volume and pattern of complaints regarding billing and collection, delivery, refund or exchange, and sales practice issues.

According to consumer complaints, magazine subscription renewal notices are received from Associated Publishers Network (APN), also know as United Publisher's Clearing House, National Magazine Services, Orbital Publishing, and Publisher's Billing Exchange.

Complainants state they send in payment for renewal of their subscriptions to various magazines, such as Wall Street Journal, The Economist, New Yorker Magazine, and the Times, however, the magazines are not received.

When consumers contact the magazine companies, directly, to check on their subscription they are informed that payment was never received.

Complainants indicate that phone calls and emails sent to APN are generally ignored.

Complainants also state that The Economist, New Yorker Magazine, the Times and Wall Street Journal all claim no affiliation with APN.

APN's typical response states, in part, "Magazine publishers have created the agency sale system for the sale of subscriptions. The publisher contracts with clearinghouses. Under these contracts, the clearinghouse is authorized to sell subscriptions. The clearing house then permits thousands of third parties, such as Associated Publishers Network, to sell subscriptions, which are then "cleared" through the clearinghouse. These third parties have no direct contract with the publisher and their identities are unknown to the publisher.

Offers are sent out periodically and are marketing pieces only. We merely send out offers as stated plainly on each offer and no one is obligated to respond."

Additional responses from APN usually state that it takes 6-12 weeks for delivery.

BBB has informed the company of the volume and pattern of complaints and asked that the company address the issue.

- See more at: http://www.bbb.org/southern-nevada/business-reviews/publishers-magazine/associated-publishers-network-in-henderson-nv-90014293

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MSN Money: Is your subscription renewal notice real? By Mitch Lipka

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/03/msn-money-is-your-subscription-renewal.html

Better Business Bureau issues warning about widespread fake subscription renewal scam after the New York Times and Wall Street Journal complain.

By Mitch Lipka Aug 29, 2013

http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post--is-your-subscription-renewal-notice-real

If you get a subscription renewal, make sure who you're really paying before you send the check out. After getting peppered with complaints from magazine subscribers, and learning of complaints lodged by the publishers of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, the Better Business Bureau on Thursday issued a warning to consumers about phony subscription renewals.

The BBB is warning about a Nevada-based operation called Associated Publishers Network. The company has generated 112 complaints just in the past year, the BBB said. The complaints are coming from all around the country.

[…]

If you get a renewal notice, check when your subscription really expires by looking at the actual subscription label or contacting the publisher directly. If it is time to renew, do it directly through the publisher or by using a notice directly attached to your magazine.

If you get a fake one, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission.

Labels: Bus scams, Fraud, Junk mail unwanted catalogs, Media Magazines, Scams, USPS junk mail - See more at: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/03/msn-money-is-your-subscription-renewal.html#sthash.LBXGZGGw.dpuf

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Federal Trade Commission

FTC Complaint Assistant

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

Welcome! Complaints from consumers help us detect patterns of fraud and abuse. The FTC would like to know more about your complaint and the Complaint Assistant will help guide you. To use the Complaint Assistant:

Choose a complaint category on the right. If you can't find a match select "Other". Answer a few questions related to your complaint. Tell us what happened in your own words.

For more information: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

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U.S. Postal Inspection Service

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactus/filecomplaint.aspx

File a Complaint

Report these issues to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online:

Mail fraud (may include scams or deceptive ads via the mail, or postage fraud)

Mail theft (mail you failed to receive but should have, or that you received with the contents missing)

Identity theft

False change of address

Vandalism to your mail receptacle

Unsolicited Sexually Oriented Advertising

If you believe you’re a victim of fraud related to the U.S. Mail, including mailed sweepstakes, lotteries, on-line auctions, work-at-home scams or chain letters, report your concern to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as mail fraud.

All information is voluntary, but the more you provide, the more likely it is that we can help you. We may share your information with other agencies if it comes under their jurisdiction. See the Privacy Act Statement for more details. This site uses secure methods to transfer data.

The Postal Inspection Service will contact you only if more information is needed. We gather data on mail-related crime to determine whether a violation has occurred. While we can’t guarantee we can recover lost money or items, your information can help alert Postal Inspectors to problem areas and possibly prevent others from being victimized. Inspectors base their investigations on the number, substance and pattern of complaints. We ask you to keep all original documents related to your complaint.

If you would prefer to mail in your report, click here to print a Mail Theft Complaint. If this is an urgent matter, contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

Report problems with mail delivery or service to the U.S. Postal Service.

Mail correspondence to this address:

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE CENTER

ATTN: MAIL FRAUD

433 W HARRISON STREET ROOM 3255

CHICAGO IL 60699-3255

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