THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 16, 2025 Page 11 USPS reminds customers to check and maintain their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week W ith Mailbox Improvement Week approaching (May 18-24), the United States Postal Service (USPS) is encouraging customers to inspect, maintain and upgrade their mailboxes to help ensure safe, secure and efficient mail delivery. “Customer’s mailboxes are the first point of contact for receiving birthday cards, letters, and important documents,” said Acting Postmaster General and CEO Doug Tulino. “A well-maintained mailbox helps to ensure that every package and parcel makes it to its intended destination safely and efficiently.” Each year USPS designates the third week of May as Mailbox Improvement Week to encourage customers to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance of their mailboxes. Through regular mailbox maintenance, efficient mail delivery, enhanced neighborhood curb appeal and improved Postal Service operations are better ensured. Mailbox care tips The Postal Service annually calls attention to Mailbox Improvement Week because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes throughout the year. Some of the typical activities homeowners might need to do: • Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door • Repainting a mailbox that might have rusted or has started to peel • Remounting a loosened mailbox post BBB Scam Alert: Be careful if offered a “free roof inspection” R oofing scams tend to pop up after big storms. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website address at https://www. bbb.org/scamtracker/ often receives reports of shady “free” roof inspections. Homeowners should know how to recognize these cons and always hire businesses they can trust. How the scam works: You receive a call or someone shows up at the door claiming to represent a roofing company that is working in your area. (Sometimes con artists use the names of legitimate companies, so always check BBB.org first to learn the real address, phone number and name of the real company.) The fake “roofer” offers a free inspection or an on-the-spot roof repair. Why, you ask? The person might claim that their company is working on a neighbor’s home and is offering inspections to those living nearby, or they just happened to notice your damaged roof. But if you ask questions about where the business is located or how their services work – if you’re not dealing with an honest company – you’ll most likely be met with vague answers. If you are speaking on the phone to a con artist, they might hang up if pressed for more details. If you accept the free inspection from a con artist, the dishonest “inspector” shows up at your house. If they don’t find enough wear and tear to merit a whole new roof, they might fabricate it, by tearing off shingles to mimic wind damage (so pay attention and watch what they do). Or they might show you pictures of someone else’s damaged roof. Don’t hire a company that does this! Repairs from such a dishonest business are not likely to be high quality. How to avoid roofing scams · Beware of unsolicited offers. Many scams begin with a contractor who “just happens to be in the area” and notices that your roof or home appears to need repairs from the outside. Roofing scams typically increase in frequency after a powerful storm, so stay alert. Legitimate roofers might also be in the area, so be savvy enough to check BBB.org and do your homework before hiring. · Get your insurance company to inspect your roof and/or get a second opinion. Filing a claim with your insurance company goes on your record and could affect future claims or your continued coverage. Before signing any paperwork or contracts with a roofing company, you can have your insurance company come out for an inspection to verify the need for repairs or replacements. You can also call another reputable roofing company to take a look. · Research roofing companies before you hire. Look at a company’s business rating on BBB.org. Keep a close eye on previous reviews and any complaints other consumers might have had. Doing your own research is one of the best ways to know if a roofing company is reputable or just a cover for a scam. For more information To learn more about hiring a roofing company, see BBB. org/Roofing. You can also find valuable information at BBB.org/ScamTips and BBB Consumer HQ. If you’ve been the victim of a roofing scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker immediately. Your report will help alert others to the danger. • Replacing or adding house numbers mind Keeping security top-ofUSPS partners with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to keep postal employees, the mail stream and the American public safe, to prevent incidents through education and awareness and to enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail network. Tips to secure your mail include: • Promptly pick up your mail: Try not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time. • Report mailbox vandalism: If you see someone actively tampering with a mailbox, immediately report it to the police. If you know of someone who committed an act of mailbox vandalism, report it to Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455. Learn more at https://www. usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm Join Polymnia for their Annual Fundraising Cabaret! O n Saturday, May 17, 2025, Polymnia Choral Society will hold its annual fundraising Cabaret at Temple Beth Shalom at 21 E. Foster St. in Melrose. The evening will feature Polymnia members and friends performing musical selections they have chosen. Previous Cabaret shows have included Broadway show tunes, pop ballads, jazz standards and more. Audiences will have two opportunities to enjoy Cabaret and support Polymnia. The first performance is at 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.), and the second performance is at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.). We look forward to seeing you there! The Cabaret is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets, visit https:// polymnia.org/about-our-upcoming-season/ or Miter Biter at 479 Main St. in Melrose, or call 617-633-5006. For over 70 years, Polymnia Choral Society has been delivering great performances to acknowledge and honor the important times in our lives. For more information about Polymnia, visit www.polymnia. org/about. 50
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