Silk Road forums

Discussion => Shipping => Topic started by: Evanescence on January 31, 2012, 07:13 pm

Title: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Evanescence on January 31, 2012, 07:13 pm
Which is better for receiving a delivery?

On one hand a PO Box/drop box is not connected to your home.

On the other hand if caught how could you defend going to pick up a strange package at the post office?

If it came to the house isn't it like  "wah, yea, I have no idea why that came to my address".
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: D@rk_St@r on January 31, 2012, 07:24 pm
From what I found when doing my research before my first purchase, I got the feeling a po box is a horrible idea. Because it is in your name, and you have the key to open it. I've had a few purchases sent to my house, basically when you think they are coming keep a stack of junk mail around and place your purchase in that stack for at least a day and write "RTS" on it, so god forbid LE kicks your door down, you can play the innocent card that you didn't know what it was so it was placed in your junk mail. While I'm no lawyer, but that gives you plausible deny ability, and while you may or may not still have to take a ride with a good lawyer you shouldn't catch a case unless they find other drugs or paraphernalia to hit you with.   

Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Holly on January 31, 2012, 08:26 pm
From what I found when doing my research before my first purchase, I got the feeling a po box is a horrible idea. Because it is in your name, and you have the key to open it. I've had a few purchases sent to my house, basically when you think they are coming keep a stack of junk mail around and place your purchase in that stack for at least a day and write "RTS" on it, so god forbid LE kicks your door down, you can play the innocent card that you didn't know what it was so it was placed in your junk mail. While I'm no lawyer, but that gives you plausible deny ability, and while you may or may not still have to take a ride with a good lawyer you shouldn't catch a case unless they find other drugs or paraphernalia to hit you with.

It is the same amount of risk with the same amount of deniability.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Evanescence on January 31, 2012, 08:34 pm
It is the same amount of risk with the same amount of deniability.

I don't see how it's the same.

Why do you even have such PO box?  If you are sent lots of other types of mail there then maybe you could say it's for traveling or something, but if you have only a couple things sent there it sounds like bad news.

So it seems like home risk can be less than po box risk, but po box risk can never be less than home risk. And po risk is probably higher unless you have a perfect back story.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Marceline on January 31, 2012, 09:01 pm
The whole point of a mailbox is it's not in your name. You can also have packages that need to be signed for shipped there and the people who work there will sign for it and you can just go pick it up 24/7. Mailboxes are much more secure.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: D@rk_St@r on January 31, 2012, 09:26 pm
Interesting, I guess it is personal preference, with the same amount of risk either way. I would just think going and actually picking something up would put you at more of a risk, unless you just started having a bunch of amazon and ebay purchases sent to the po box and just said I only use it for packages so they don't have to sit outside or wait to be signed for.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Holly on January 31, 2012, 09:30 pm
It is the same amount of risk with the same amount of deniability.

I don't see how it's the same.

Why do you even have such PO box?  If you are sent lots of other types of mail there then maybe you could say it's for traveling or something, but if you have only a couple things sent there it sounds like bad news.

So it seems like home risk can be less than po box risk, but po box risk can never be less than home risk. And po risk is probably higher unless you have a perfect back story.


So now you are adding mail fraud to your list of felony which they will at least look at the name and identification provided with PO box, and you're going to be questioned taking mail out of a box not in your name...

I guess I was speaking in the sense of using PO box with your real name.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: D@rk_St@r on January 31, 2012, 09:40 pm
I thought it went without saying always use your real name, there is a thread some where that talks about best practices for being a buyer. I'm not sure if it has been updated, but it used to say to use a fake name or misspell your name just a little, and now I think that is shunned as it might draw unwanted attention.

I've always wondered for those that live in apartments who receive tons of junk make that just says current resident. How does the community feel about using that instead of a name? I tested and put 3 letters nothing in them, but paper, in 3 different drop boxes and received all three in 2 days as a proof of concept test.  I'm just tossing this out there not saying it would work for everyone.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Marceline on January 31, 2012, 11:19 pm
If you're only receiving small personal amounts, it doesn't matter they very likely won't try to do a CD anyway. When you're receiving big amounts and they may attempt a CD, a mailbox is much better.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Evanescence on January 31, 2012, 11:45 pm
If you're only receiving small personal amounts, it doesn't matter they very likely won't try to do a CD anyway. When you're receiving big amounts and they may attempt a CD, a mailbox is much better.

What is a CD?  I just figured out today that LE = law enforcement.  Yeah I know, showing my real criminal genius here.

Btw, when this guy was investigated his po box activity was monitored closely:
http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_law10.shtml
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: tordemon on February 01, 2012, 12:15 am
If you're only receiving small personal amounts, it doesn't matter they very likely won't try to do a CD anyway. When you're receiving big amounts and they may attempt a CD, a mailbox is much better.

What is a CD?  I just figured out today that LE = law enforcement.  Yeah I know, showing my real criminal genius here.

Btw, when this guy was investigated his po box activity was monitored closely:
http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_law10.shtml
CD=Controlled Delivery.

I use a PO Box personally, but that way they can't really track where my package goes to. I drive to a different place every time to open the package. I also use the box for many other things; my cover would be that I use it for receiving items on eBay without giving up my home address for my personal privacy.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: xx138xx on February 01, 2012, 05:45 am
About using a fake id to open a p.o. box - just don't do it. Mail fraud is a fed charge you don't want to get hit with. It's usually best to act as normal and legit as possible, because that's what people not expecting drugs in the mail would do. If you act or behave like you have something to hide it's hard to deny knowledge of it.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: foxymeow on February 01, 2012, 08:21 am
About using a fake id to open a p.o. box - just don't do it. Mail fraud is a fed charge you don't want to get hit with. It's usually best to act as normal and legit as possible, because that's what people not expecting drugs in the mail would do. If you act or behave like you have something to hide it's hard to deny knowledge of it.
'

PO boxes and PMBs are meant for average joes with a small business. Don't think that they will judge you just because you are not some corporate guy. Don't try and use a fake....its just not worth it. They require two forms of ID and you are going to be caught on tape either way. Mail fraud (opening a box with a fake) will get you in A LOT more trouble than getting caught with an 8-ball of coke. 
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Marceline on February 01, 2012, 09:13 am
About using a fake id to open a p.o. box - just don't do it. Mail fraud is a fed charge you don't want to get hit with. It's usually best to act as normal and legit as possible, because that's what people not expecting drugs in the mail would do. If you act or behave like you have something to hide it's hard to deny knowledge of it.
'

PO boxes and PMBs are meant for average joes with a small business. Don't think that they will judge you just because you are not some corporate guy. Don't try and use a fake....its just not worth it. They require two forms of ID and you are going to be caught on tape either way. Mail fraud (opening a box with a fake) will get you in A LOT more trouble than getting caught with an 8-ball of coke.
Again, the only reason you would use a mailbox is if you were receiving large amounts that could put you away for much longer than mail fraud could. If it's just personal amounts, there's no reason to mess with a mailbox at all.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: yellow on February 01, 2012, 10:21 am
I've always wondered for those that live in apartments who receive tons of junk make that just says current resident.

Years and years ago, well before SR the guys living above me had sent stuff from the UK to the previous resident (their actually name). They had plenty of mail in that name, just let it stack up for a while to make sure they weren't getting a knock on the door.

Still sounds like a good idea. Especially if your living in a place that's ever been a rental. Real name, previous resident, no lying and perhaps an excuse that might fly.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Mecajesus on February 01, 2012, 10:42 am
I don't have a PO box, all my packages are sent to my home and so far it's worked out just fine.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: demetri on February 01, 2012, 03:01 pm
Which is better for receiving a delivery?

On one hand a PO Box/drop box is not connected to your home.

On the other hand if caught how could you defend going to pick up a strange package at the post office?

If it came to the house isn't it like  "wah, yea, I have no idea why that came to my address".

Many people seem to be under the illusion that using a PO Box somehow protects their home address. I can't speak for Australia, but in the UK it provides no protection at all. The Post Office will give the owners address to anyone who asks, and especially to LE.

As some people have also pointed out...it makes plausible deniability much weaker if you have something delivered to a PO Box, especially if you haven't had the PO Box very long. Then there is the problem of stuff hanging around in the Post Office and having to go collect it.. surely it's better to use your home address, after all anyone can send you anything which you don't know about or haven't asked for, so what difference does it make?

Unless of course you have used fake ID and there is nothing linking the PO Box to you and your home address!

Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: jjguy on February 05, 2012, 05:35 am
Which is better for receiving a delivery?

On one hand a PO Box/drop box is not connected to your home.

On the other hand if caught how could you defend going to pick up a strange package at the post office?

If it came to the house isn't it like  "wah, yea, I have no idea why that came to my address".

Many people seem to be under the illusion that using a PO Box somehow protects their home address. I can't speak for Australia, but in the UK it provides no protection at all. The Post Office will give the owners address to anyone who asks, and especially to LE.

As some people have also pointed out...it makes plausible deniability much weaker if you have something delivered to a PO Box, especially if you haven't had the PO Box very long. Then there is the problem of stuff hanging around in the Post Office and having to go collect it.. surely it's better to use your home address, after all anyone can send you anything which you don't know about or haven't asked for, so what difference does it make?

Unless of course you have used fake ID and there is nothing linking the PO Box to you and your home address!

Your home is in your name. Your mailbox is in your name. BEFORE you owned your mailbox someone else had that number.

In the USA using a fake ID for a mailbox is a felony. weigh the risks. Will you get caught buying from sellers you know are legit? Probably not. You are more likely to get caught for that fake ID. Not to mention the fake ID could bring suspicion of buying drugs on you.

Use a business name, don't bother with using a fake ID. sign up for those cheap magazine offers you find on slickdeals. Get them delivered to that address. Also sign up for some industry materials in whatever category your fake business is in. Sign up for free samples online and an onslaught of mail will arrive within a month.

Go so far as to pay for a city tax certificate for this business if you are paranoid.

Own it. You are legitiment. You own a small business on the side and are trying to make some extra money.

Also for small amounts they will just seize it and not even bother.

If they do come around..."I own XXX XXX a business I started a few months ago. This has happened to me before."

You have nothing to hide. Also even having a PMB or PO Box is easier to explain if you use a business name. In the very unlikely situation LE comes around it's up to them to peruse it. So make sure they see you as a good citizen.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: Angelology on February 05, 2012, 09:44 pm
Which is better for receiving a delivery?

On one hand a PO Box/drop box is not connected to your home.

On the other hand if caught how could you defend going to pick up a strange package at the post office?

If it came to the house isn't it like  "wah, yea, I have no idea why that came to my address".
Home address, with a P.O box you'll have a much harder time explaining why there's ecstasy in your P.O as to your home, where it could of been your neighbor sending it to you so he could grab it, but it came sooner than expected.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: grandaddyturtle on February 23, 2012, 12:43 am
I just opened a third party mailbox, any suggestions on making it more legit?  I already have a few catalogues/ebay items on the way but was just wondering if anyone has some additional tips.  The only thing I'm a bit weary of is the place I got it from is a true mom + pop so the volume of mail to the whole place isn't tremendous.  The people were really nice, almost to the point of being TOO nice. Hopefully this doesn't make them snoopy
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: MailMaxDev on February 23, 2012, 01:31 am
Sign yourself up for some free subscriptions.
Title: Re: Using Home Address vs PO Box
Post by: foxymeow on February 28, 2012, 01:05 am
I am very interested in a virtual office as it seems pretty foolproof. I am sure the postal service knows its a PMB even if you have a business name on it. However, having a virtual office is about as close to owning a business as one can get. Opus has a coupon for no setup.

Does anyone else use a virtual office and recommend it. Also could I really open it without an ID? Wouldn't they ask me for an ID whenever I picked something up.