I received an anonymous letter in the mail today.
This is second letter I’ve received… spooky!
I received the first letter over a year ago. Both letters contain promotional literature. The first one promoted a public speaking product and this one is promoting martial arts or so. They are all personalized with the text, “Avinesh, Check this out! -J”, written in blue ink and block letters. My address is written neatly on the front of each envelope in the same manner. The first promotional piece was taken from a computer magazine and the second piece was from a newspaper advertisement.
The originating postal code on the envelope appears to be: M4L 3T0. The ’0′ almost looks like a ‘D’ on the envelope, but using a ‘D’ for the last character doesn’t follow Canadian postal code standards. A quick Google search shows that ‘M4L’ is Toronto, Ontario. It was mailed out at 8:11 AM on August 21. I never realized letters from Ontario get to BC so quickly — regular mail, no less.
Further research indicates that I’m not the only one that’s received an anonymous letter from the same postal code. I don’t think I know anyone in Ontario with a name starting with ‘J’.
Well, on to other things. I’ll update this post if I discover anything else.
Update (09/02/2007):
It appears several individuals received similarly addressed letters in the mail. Please read the comments to this blog post for details. Someone sure has lots of free time (and money) on their hands.
I attempted to use Canada Post’s Post Office Locator to determine the address of the post office, to no avail: “Postal code M4L3T0 was not found.” Very strange, considering the envelope was postmarked from that postal code.
This almost leads me to wonder if this is an inside job, by a disgruntled Canada Post worker. Perhaps, we can collectively contact Canada Post to help identify the culprit.
Update (09/04/2007):
I contacted Canada Post directly regarding the matter. I am awaiting a response.
Update (09/07/2007):
Canada Post indicated that as long as there’s a stamp on it, they will process it like any other piece of mail. They haven’t contacted me for more information.
Update (10/01/2009):
This Google query should answer most of your questions about this mysterious “J”:
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Hand+Addressed+Direct+Mail
As you can see, there are marketing companies that deliver hand-addressed envelopes with notes. Their reason for doing so? It increases the likelihood of someone opening a piece of mail. So, there you have it — an answer to this mystery.
Comment by I hate "J" Notes
81 January 20, 2011 |
I received a “J-note” in the mail at work and was awfully disturbed by some of the comments that I read on here. The advertisement that I received was from Postal code M4L 1A9 and was for a magazine called “Success Strategies”.
My co-worker called the number on the advertisement (1-800-791-8699) and they were well aware of the advertising they call “J notes”. For the woman that received a birthday card they said that they often send out annoymous birthday cards with j-notes as a form of advertising.
They said “it is all legal and it’s meant to frighten anyone”.
Just call that number and get your name off their list.
What a creepy way of advertising… :S
Comment by Oh Well
80 August 31, 2010 |
Don’t complain too much people. Sometimes it’s very important to be able to send an anonymous letter, and you will appreciate it. Anonymous communication is an important right. There may come a time when you want to notify someone about something, and find it very important not to reveal who you are.
Obviously, some people abuse the looseness in the snail mail system.
And note that there is no practical way to validate the authenticity of a return address, if one is actually given. If anonymous letters were banned, then those wishing to send anonymous letters would simply use bogus return addresses.
So, I’m afraid you have to suck it up, folks.
Comment by Fran
79 August 16, 2010 |
I received on from Arizona today with a bulk postage mail stamp on it. It’s for wrinkle cream. I’ve gotten these over a period of 15 years. The ads were for rapid weight loss or wrinkle cream. Talk about self imagine being hurt and also feeling that there is a weirdo out there. Very strange that each time I move, I would get one at my new address. I called the postal service. You can send the letter to Inspection Service p.o box 400, Seattle, Washington. 98111
Comment by Barry
78 May 7, 2010 |
I received an annonymous letter from this postal code M4L 3T0, it said “I love you” and had toe nail clippings taped to the letter! I was absolutely disgusted when I opened the letter, I figured maybe it was a friend of mine trying to play a joke on me. But I have asked almost everybody and nobody knows anything about it (they all think its hilarious though) Even if it were someone tricking me, how would they be able to send it from this annonymous postal code???
Comment by Pat S
77 March 25, 2010 |
Has anyone received harassing letters from this postal code? I have and this has been taken to the police but i was curious about others. It must be possible to pay for haveing your letters redirected from this postal code.Thanks, P
Comment by Sue
76 March 7, 2010 |
My husband just received an unsigned birthday card in the mail, a few days days before his birthday. The card was not the kind you would send to someone you don’t know well but would have been funny from a family member or friends. We contacted the most likely family members who could have sent it but they knew nothing about it. I Googled M4L 3T0 (the “0″ does look like a “D”), and located your rather interesting blog regarding this postal code.
My husband is not on Facebook, or any other public domain site, so it’s a mystery to us who could have sent it. For many years, I received advertisements with personal notes, such as “Sue this is really interesting” from someone who just signed off as “J”, but not knowing who this person was, I just threw them out.
Thought you’d be interested in another unsolved mystery from this postal code.
Comment by Amy
75 February 25, 2010 |
My daughter is ill and has a blog set up to receive letters from all over the world. She’s received a few of these letters. Same postal code, same block letters. However it is just cards. They are usually signed from a person that cares. However the second last one we received said Sending thoughts and prayers from Oakville Ontario. Every card is typed the same and none of them have a name. The postage info is always the exact same. The 0 kind of looks like a D. Whoever they are, they make sure to send one for every holiday and occasion.
Comment by Kirk
74 February 22, 2010 |
I just received a cheque in the mail today, from the same postal code in Ontario, M4L 3T0. I found it a little strange as the cheque is made out to me for $4000.00, The cheque belongs to National Bank of Canada in Toronto. I have done my homework, to cover my ass, I have phoned the bank and got them to check out the Cheque using the numbers that are on it, and it appears to be Legit, I am going to take it to the branch here in Calgary, just to make sure, and if they cash it, according to my lawyer, I wont be responsible for it later on if it turns out to be a fraudulent cheque, where as if I was to bring it to my bank, and cash it, I would be held responsible for it.
Comment by Max
73 February 19, 2010 |
I got my second one, this week, close to Valentine’s Day, neither one was signed “J.”
It’s a little creepy guys, anybody ever think of going to the police, I don’t live in Toronto or I might go. Didn’t someone narrow it down to an exact address?
I’m not sure if it would qualify as harassment but even this letter will be seen by him or her.
It’s very weird.
Comment by Danielle B
72 January 14, 2010 |
I recieved a news article back in 2005 and never knew to look on the internet for info. I couldn’t figure out who sent it or why. I came across it few nights ago and thought i’d come look and i found this site. I noticed that the earliest ones were in 2007, if mine was 05 how long has this been going on for and anyone yet have any ideas on who could be doing this?