Exchanging addresses safely
The Postal Club does not store your home address. That is a deliberate choice, and it is the foundation of how we keep members safe. Here is how to exchange addresses with pen pals sensibly.
1. Chat first, share later
Exchange at least three or four private messages with a potential pen pal before sharing your address. It gives you a chance to get a sense of them and reduces the chance of a mismatch.
2. Consider a PO box or mailbox service for your first exchanges
Many letter writers use a PO box or a commercial mailbox service instead of a home address, at least for the first few letters with a new pen pal. If trust grows over time, you can choose to share your home address later. The Royal Mail in the UK, USPS in the US, and most postal services worldwide offer this at modest cost.
3. Never share your address in public activity posts
Only share addresses in private messages, and only with people you have chosen to write to. If you see another member sharing their address in a public post or group, please tell us so we can help them delete it.
4. Trust your instincts
If a potential pen pal pressures you for your address, asks unusual personal questions, or says anything that makes you uncomfortable, you do not owe them a letter. It is absolutely fine to politely stop replying, or to block them.
5. What to do if something goes wrong
If a member behaves inappropriately toward you, please report them using the report link on their profile or email us at info@thepostalclub.com. We take every report seriously.