Chana Joffe-Walt followed around a Seattle postal worker named Angela for her take on what people's mail says about their financial situation. While nothing has changed in terms of what information is available - it's a bit of a jolt to realize just how much a person can deduce from looking at sealed envelopes.
Let's see, medical coupon from the state... lots of bills"No secrets from the postal worker. Makes you wonder what kind of access law enforcement can have to your unopened mail.
[snip]
Andrea notices her unemployed mom with an affinity for black leather is getting another overdraft notice.
[snip]
"Collection notices on parking tickets, to overdue utility bills, to towing lots that have cars that people aren't coming to pick up."
Certified letters? a major negative indicator. Credit problems almost always lead to certifieds, and certifieds are almost always bad news mail.
Another measure? color. Normally utility bills, they're usually white. When you're a month late, the envelopes turn yellow. Way, way late - they all go red. Angela's been noticing a lot of red lately.
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