Patent ID: 7690571
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of refunding value applied to a spoiled mail item bearing sensitive information, comprising the steps of: validating, by a validation unit, a postage imprint associated with a mail item in a mail item stream, the mail item bearing sensitive information, wherein the postage imprint does not satisfy at least one validation criterion; assigning the mail item as being a spoiled mail item; separating the spoiled mail item from the mail item stream; presenting at least one of the spoiled mail item and the associated postage imprint to a postage service, so that the sensitive information is not readable by the postage service; and refunding the value applied to the spoiled mail item based on a determination by the postage service, the determination based at least in part on the postage imprint.