The Postal Service is testing an additional application of the Seamless Verification System using Friend-To- Friend Mail postcards.

The postcards will be bound into five magazines between May and December. Some of the magazines' readers will detach the Friend-to-Friend postcard, write a short message, address the card to a friend and drop it into the mail.

Along with the familiar "No Postage Necessary If Mailed In The United States" permit imprint, the postcards contain a "Friend-to-Friend Mail" legend above the address block.

The Seamless Verification System takes advantage of the latest advances in postal technology, using an Intelligent Mail barcode in combination with ID Tags applied during mail processing to generate unique scan data that will allow USPS to count Friend-to-Friend Mail postcards in the mailstream during the test. Postage is charged by linking the scan data to a Centralized Account Payment System account created for the test.

Mail processing and delivery employees who see these postcards should be aware that Friend-to-Friend postcards are First-Class Mail and should be delivered as addressed. They should not be held, delayed, charged postage or returned for postage by anyone in our facilities.

Who knows maybe a friend will send one to you!