Post Office box owners 'abuse system'

BRITISH users of the Post Office in Mojacar are being warned by staff at the Correos at the Montemar Commercial Centre, that they can no longer share Post Office boxes.

The director of the Mojacar Post Office has confirmed that national changes are taking place, and that the Correos head office in Madrid is tightening-up on existing rules.

He said that the boxes have always been, “unipersonal,” but that some people have been abusing the system for years.

The director said that he’s awaiting orders from Madrid, but that in theory from June 1, only post addressed to the PO box owner (titular) or the box number in general, with no name, will be placed in the box.

Post addressed to other names will be returned to sender.

The rules are to be enforced all over Spain.

There are warning notes stuck up in Garrucha Post Office and some British owners said they have received warning letters too.

You are allowed to share boxes, but every user must be authorised by the owner, and pay an additional yearly fee.

The Mojacar director said that the problem or system “abuse,” isn’t by customers who get a few letters every now and again for friends or family.

He confirmed that there are boxes that receive post for 30 or more different people. He said that some customers charge others to receive their post and a running their PO Box as a business venture.

He added that he and his staff know that Mojacar is, “special,” and that many customers only have boxes because post can’t be delivered to their home.

This is why, he said, that they have been lax with the rules for many years.

Now, however, head office has noticed the “abuse,” and has decided to do something about it.

He said that changes won’t take place over night, but that eventually, only post addressed to the owner, or just with the box number will be put into the PO boxes.

By Susan Leach
s.leach@euroweeklynews.com