# What's the Purpose of Security Envelopes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177 "2020-06-06T23:08:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/1 "2020-06-06T23:08:13Z")
I might as well tell you, I have a number of scientific theories I have been trying to share with people for some time now. I think I even shared a couple on these boards, FWIW. And I like the postal service, because it is governed by the First Amendment. Not that I need it. But I mean, if a message board moderator (not necessarily on these boards) gets a bee in their bonnet, they can’t censor me. Anyway, that has little or nothing to do with my question. Security envelopes. I myself use them, because I think they look more stylish. And they are the same price as the white envelopes, at least in Dollar Tree. But what is the ultimate purpose of them? I mean, who is going to read my mail? The mail carrier? They have better things to do with their time. And in any event, first class mail is protected by the Fourth Amendment. So a mail carrier would never even think of trying to read people’s mail–no? My neighbors? They never touch my mail, unless it accidentally goes to their house, a very rare occasion. I also have to tell you, even the good quality security envelopes don’t really do their job. You can still make out a little, if you hold it to a very bright light. But who is going to do that either, really? So what is their purpose? And what is the proposed logic behind them? :):):):):):)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/2 "2020-06-06T23:21:00Z")
Snoopy co-workers. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/3 "2020-06-06T23:38:12Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > But what is the ultimate purpose of them? I mean, who is going to read my mail? The mail carrier? They have better things to do with their time. You mean, like [stealing mail](http://postalemployeenetwork.com/news/category/usps-news/theftandfraud/)? (at least one postal worker on that list was found to have stolen credit cards and checks from the mail).\* \*"Examples of this sort of secret tampering \*(holding up regular envelopes to the light) _include reading routing and account numbers on a check, stealing identities through exposed social security numbers or gleaning information to later use as blackmail against someone. The nosy reader could be a regular criminal, a jealous ex-lover or even a roommate. No matter the person or the reason, reading private mail is illegal and being able to do so without leaving evidence makes the crime harder to trace."_ > **[What Are Security Tint Envelopes?](https://letterjacketenvelopes.com/what-are-security-tint-envelopes/)** > > People often wonder what envelopes can properly protect their letters and documents? This weeks blog shows why our security tint envelopes are the answer! \*actually, the relatively few postal employees who steal mail seem to focus more on greeting cards, which may contain cash and checks. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/4 "2020-06-06T23:38:16Z")
just to obscure the contents. e.g. to make it hard to figure out if there’s something like a check, cash, or personally identifying information inside. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/5 "2020-06-06T23:38:54Z")
I don’t know who’s likely to try to read your mail, but you have a fundamental misconception about the First Amendment. The freedom of speech clause prevents only the government from limiting your right to free speech. A message board moderator can censor you without violating it. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/6 "2020-06-07T00:11:29Z")
Also, [the USPS can censor your mail](https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/citizens-guide-us-federal-law-obscenity). ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/7 "2020-06-07T02:00:56Z")
Even better, Social Security has removed the SSN from the annuai award letter, presumably for security. So the award letter proves entitlement of a recipient, but doesn’t say who the entitled recipient is. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/8 "2020-06-07T02:02:08Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I don’t know who’s likely to try to read your mail, but you have a fundamental misconception about the First Amendment. The freedom of speech clause prevents only the government from limiting your right to free speech. A message board moderator can censor you without violating it. I thought I said that:). Yeah,I have a law dictionary at home. And it really is a fascinating subject. It says federal and state action are the two echelons of constitutional law. Private action (as you said) are not protected by the constitution. It is worth pointing out that statutory law can always step in and give people rights in the private sector. I don’t know if that helps on the internet though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/9 "2020-06-07T02:05:47Z")
CLARIFICATION: > [@](#): > > But I mean, if a message board moderator (not necessarily on these boards) gets a bee in their bonnet, they (i.e., _ **the U.S. government** _) can’t censor me. New emphasis mine. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/10 "2020-06-07T05:17:23Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > I might as well tell you, I have a number of scientific theories I have been trying to share with people for some time now. I think I even shared a couple on these boards, FWIW. And I like the postal service, because it is governed by the First Amendment. Not that I need it. But I mean, if a message board moderator (not necessarily on these boards) gets a bee in their bonnet, they can’t censor me. > > **Anyway, that has little or nothing to do with my question**. You’re so right about that. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/11 "2020-06-07T05:38:36Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > And they are the same price as the white envelopes, at least in Dollar Tree. The package may be the same price, but are there the same number of envelopes in the package? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/12 "2020-06-07T08:05:44Z")
I always figured the secured envelopes were a good way to send cash though the mail. I’d not think it would be a postal worker snooping, but maybe roommates if you lived in a dorm or apartment. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/13 "2020-06-07T08:48:08Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > The package may be the same price, but are there the same number of envelopes in the package? Yes, actually. The white envelopes are self-adhesive though. I don’t mind licking envelopes though. I’ve been doing it for years. And sometimes the adhesive doesn’t stick for some reason. BTW they are perfectly good envelopes too. _Meade_. That’s a good quality brand, isn’t it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/14 "2020-06-07T14:37:29Z")
How are security envelopes related to a scientific theory? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/15 "2020-06-08T04:43:13Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I always figured the secured envelopes were a good way to send cash though the mail. I’d not think it would be a postal worker snooping, but maybe roommates if you lived in a dorm or apartment. Why on earth figure the postal worker wouldn’t be the one pilfering cash? They’re surrounded by mail all day - they can learn the tricks, what security might exist they’d need to work around, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/16 "2020-06-08T05:16:44Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > How are security envelopes related to a scientific theory? I don’t know. How _are_ security envelopes related to a scientific theory? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/17 "2020-06-09T01:54:43Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Why on earth figure the postal worker wouldn’t be the one pilfering cash? They’re surrounded by mail all day - they can learn the tricks, what security might exist they’d need to work around, etc. Would you risk a postal job just to pilfer the $20 someone’s grandma is sending through the mail? What if it turns out to be some old German Marks that grandpa had left over from serving in Germany after the war? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/18 "2020-06-09T02:03:36Z")
I’d always thought the purpose of security envelopes was so if you were mailing a check a fraudster can’t obtain your account number by holding the envelope up to the light and reading it off the check. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/19 "2020-06-09T14:08:10Z")
> [@](#): > > During the reporting period from October 2018 through September 2019, OIG special agents conducted 1,264 internal mail theft investigations, resulting in 440 arrests, 1,057 administrative actions, and approximately $440,000 in monetary benefit for the Postal Service. [https://www.uspsoig.gov/investigations/internal-mail-theft](https://www.uspsoig.gov/investigations/internal-mail-theft) I’m not finding stats on how many mail carriers there are, but I’d guess 1200 investigations in a year is a small but significant number. The purpose of a security envelope is to make the bad ones work a little harder and, indirectly, increase the chance of catching them. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177/20 "2021-05-07T01:20:56Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > I don’t mind licking envelopes though You might want to stop doing that-you’re leaving behind **massive** amounts of DNA. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-security-envelopes/855177.md?page=2)