NOTICE: Plan for Secure Postage Meter Technology

Postage Technology Management finalizes phased plan for assuring a higher level of security in metering technology. The meter migration plan is aimed at transitioning the installed base of meters from certain technology demonstrated to be susceptible to tampering, counterfeit or misuse to available technology offering enhanced security.

Phase I accomplished the retirement of all mechanical meters and Phase II required the retirement of all manually reset meters (meters that must be reset manually by a Postal Service employee). The stop setting date for all manual set meters was February 28, 2005. As of February 28, 2005 manual meters are not authorized for postage resets. All approved postage meters are now remotely reset by dial up or Internet connection with the meter provider’s electronic resetting system. Any remaining customers with a manual set meter should contact their meter manufacturer or distributor for replacement by a digital meter.

Currently underway is the retirement of Phase III/IV meter models. The Plan is currently migrating letterpress meters to the enhanced security of digitally printing meters. Phase III/IV meters use letterpress technology to print indicia and are being retired. Phase IV meters are distinguished by a timeout feature that disables a meter that is not reset within a specified period or failure to meet some prescribed criteria. Phase III/IV meters are no longer available for placement with new customers. Phase III meters must be off the market and withdrawn from service by December 31, 2006 and Phase IV meters by December 31, 2008.

Phase V and VI meter models are the digital metering models available for placement. Phase VI is distinguished by digital meters that print the Information Based Indicia (IBI) which is identifiable by the barcode in the postage indicia. IBI digital meters are the preferred technology of the future. A list of meter models by Phase is provided below.

List of Meter Models By Phase in Text format

Official notification has been provided in Federal Register notices and Postal Bulletin articles:

Federal Register Notice October 4, 2004, Vol. 69 No 191 pp 59281-59282

Federal Register March 29, 2004 Volume 69, Number 60 pp.16292.

Federal Register February 13, 2002 Volume 67, Number 30 pp. 6766-6767.

Federal Register November 15, 2001 Volume 66, Number 221 pp 57492-57494 .

Federal Register notice December 13, 2000, Volume 65, Number 240 pp. 77934-77938

"Reminder: Stop Resetting Date for Postage Meters is February 28, 2005” PB 22148 dated 02/172005 Pg 69

"Notice: Stop Resetting Date for Postage Meters” PB 22141 dated 11/11/2004 Pg. 77

"Meter Technology Migrating to Digital and IBI Meters” PB 22131 dated 06/24/04 Pg 98

"Postage Meter Phase IV Change” PB 22125 dated 04/01/04 Pg 81

“Notice: Digitally Printing Postage Meters to Replace Letterpress Meters” PB 22113 dated 10/16/03 Pg. 76

"Retirement of Manually Set Electronic Postage Meters” PB 22039 dated 12/14/00 Pg 89.

November 2005 Letter from Postage Technology Management (PTM) office provided to commercial postage vendors outlining transition requirements for distribution to their clients.

February 2003

NOTICE: FAX Form Entitled "USPS Decertification Assessment" Does NOT Originate from U.S. Postal Service

The FAX message that is being used to forward a "USPS Decertification Assessment" gives the false and deceptive appearance of originating from the USPS. It does not. Further, it appears intended to convey that immediate action is required by the Government. The document is causing confusion with postage meter users and while addressed to users of rotary printing meters, is in fact being sent to users of digital meters. The office of Postage Technology Management (PTM) is taking appropriate action to investigate the origin of this document and determine whether it represents violation of Federal statutes prohibiting false and misleading attempts to imply connection, approval, or endorsement by the Federal Government. In the meantime, be advised that the documents listed here did not originate with the U.S. Postal Service. Facsimile Cover forwarding "Decertification Assessment" and "USPS Decertification Assessment"

May 2002

NOTICE: USPS Provides Final Authority When Industry Advertising and Marketing Practices Questioned

Postage Technology Management (PTM) office, which maintains regulatory authority of the PC Postage and postage meter industry, is cracking down on misleading information directed at customers. PTM becomes aware from time to time of misleading advertisements, notices, facsimiles and letters that industry representatives have given to customers regarding actions taken or under consideration by this office. Whether intentional or a result of misunderstanding, vendors have been notified that these miscommunications along with clarifications and corrections will be posted on this page. We will highlight point by point incorrect information and provide corresponding accurate information. Where necessary, appropriate attributions to companies and products will be made. We would appreciate your bringing any questionable information regarding actions of PTM to attn: Manager, Postage Technology Management via email response or in writing to 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, NB Ste 4200, Washington DC 20260-4200.

March 21, 2002

NOTICE: New Requirement For Meters That Are Taken To The Post Office For Resetting.

After April 30th, 2002, an official ‘ Authorization Letter ’ from the Manager, Postage Technology Management is required in order to reset your postage meter at the local Post Office. The authorization for reset is specific to meter model and serial number. All Post Offices are being notified to stop resetting meters after April 30th UNLESS the customer presents an official authorization letter. Instructions to the field are detailed in the “Setting Electronic Manually Reset Meters After April 30, 2002” article in Postal Bulletin notice #22072 dated March 21, 2002

The authorization letter indicates the last date that the Post Office is authorized to reset the particular meter identified by its model and serial number. After the expiration date identified in the letter, the meter may no longer be reset by the Post Office. The reset expiration provides a grace period of at least 3-mos from the end of the meter lease agreement to allow time to upgrade to an approved meter model. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to a remote set meter before their current meter lease expires.

Remote set meters that use telephone technology and are not taken to a Post Office to be reset are not affected. Customers that use meters requiring Post Office resetting will receive authorization letters during the month of March. If you take your meter to a Post Office for resetting and have not received an authorization letter by April 30th, contact your meter manufacturer immediately.

Technology in Our Lives.
New Meters Let Consumers Dial Up Postage.

Under a plan that was set in motion in 1995, the Postal Service is gradually retiring all manually reset postage meters.

It is believed upgrading to remote set meters will save businesses time, since employees can stay on the job rather than heading off to the post office to have a meter reset.

Easy Way to Purchase Postage Saves Time and Taxes.

An increasing number of small and home-based businesses are discovering a way to save time now and trouble at tax time.

They're doing it with the help of a new generation of digital postage called Information Based Indicia (IBI).

Download Adobe Acrobat