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US Monitor Review: Get Paid to Check the Mail?

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Since 1973, US Monitor has built a strong reputation as one of the nation’s most reliable and effective mail monitor service.   They have brought together state-of-the-art technology as well as some old-fashioned attention to detail.

What does this mean for you in terms of making money?

In short, they pay you to check the mail.  They send you random mail and you just have to report it daily.  There’s not much to it.

So, how do they make money?

In theory, the company works with many well-known organizations, helping them figure out when mail arrives at your door as well as to see what kind of condition your mail is in.  Basically, it’s similar to that of mystery shopping, only that it’s a lot less work and just requires your mailbox.

If you’re interested in becoming what’s known as becoming a “mail decoy agent,” then this could be something to consider as long as you don’t mind sending in your mail.

What Is the Work Like?

On average, you can expect anywhere from 10 to 30+ pieces of mail per day that come from various companies.  Like your everyday mail, some may come in the form of a flyer, whereas another piece may look no different than what you’re used to seeing.

After you receive this mail, you will need to log in and answer a small questionnaire, letting the company know exactly which pieces you received as well as what kind of condition it arrived in.

And, don’t worry about knowing which mail belongs to as the company will have special codes on this mail to help you keep track.  It’s impossible to mix it with your personal mail.

If you do work with them, they do ask that you keep your mail for up to seven days.  After, you can then dispose of as you would with your everyday mail.

NOTE:  If you’re out of town, the company asks that you have a friend help or bundle the mail and ship it back once you get home.  You just have to make sure you give them an advance warning.



How Much Does Us Monitor Pay?

I could find some information online, and from what I could gather, it appeared you could make about $10 per month plus another $0.25 per mail you receive.  It would really depend on where you resided as some decoys would receive more mail than someone else.  Plus, I did read that the longer you work with them, the more you can potentially make.

This number isn’t definite, but it should at least give you an idea as to what you could make.

According to some, you could make well north of $100+ per month, but it all depended upon how much mail you could get, and again, how long you worked with them.  The sweet spot seems to be in the $30~ a month range, but it could be more or it could be less.

Don’t expect to quit your day job.  Instead, it may be enough to pay for a lunch or two.

How Do You Get Paid?

The company pays out once a month via check, usually mid-month.

The biggest pitfall is that they don’t pay via PayPal, which can be a pain to cash your check.  However, most of your banking apps today allow you to deposit your check via your phone.  I guess it’s not that big of a deal as long as you’re getting paid, right?

How Can I Sign Up?

If you’re interested in working with US Monitor, it is said that they are only looking for specific zip codes.  While it doesn’t specifically state which zip codes they are accepting at the moment, you can always apply and then wait for a confirmation email.

To sign up, simply head to the official website and then scroll down to the footer to find the “Agent Application” link.

In clicking on this, it will take you directly to a lengthy application page, in which you are asked to fill out in order to be considered.

All in all, the application takes about five minutes to complete and just asks for some personal information as well as a few yes/no questions in regards to how much mail you receive, etc.

All you need to do to be considered is to fill out the form and apply.  You don’t need any experience nor do you need any special skills, with the exception of working a digital camera.  But, as long as you know how to use a camera to take pictures, you will be 100% fine.

Generally, as long as there are no “decoys” working in your geographical/zip code region, you have a greater chance of getting accepted.  Just be patient as they do receive a ton of applications and it could be quite some time before you hear back.

Other Reviews

As in all of my reviews, I love to see what other people are saying, the reason why I include this subsection.  Listed below, I included many of the pros and cons I could find online, breaking it down simply for you to skim.

The Pros

  • stress-free job
  • can make $50+ a month
  • great reviews online

The Cons

  • hard to get in, especially if you live in a major metro area
  • no PayPal option it seems
  • have to commit and process mail almost every day

Final Thoughts

7/10Depending on your area and how much mail you receive, you have to ask yourself if it’s worth $10+ per month to log the mail you’re receiving as well as its conditions.  Sometimes, you may have to take pictures as well.  While some people do report making north of $100, it’s not really all that much work for the compensation you receive.  A lot of people say it’s one of the easiest online jobs you can come across, the biggest reason it has such as low turnover rate.

While the job may seem easy, it is hard to get.  Multiple people who apply never do hear back, but like a job, you can always apply and hope you get a call back.  If you do live in a smaller zip code, then your chances are much greater than a more populous area.  At least apply so you can say you tried.

For now, I will leave it up to you.

Have you ever applied?  Did you get accepted?

Whatever may be on your mind, feel free to leave a comment below!

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Tom Nathaniel

Hi! My name is Tom Nathaniel, and I created LushDollar to help share my honest thoughts on everything money. You won't find gimmicks here. It's the Internet's most honest money site after all. I graduated from Arizona State University, and I have worked in the finance industry since 2006, consulting with multiple Fortune 5000 companies.

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