Patent ID: 8255339

Claim:
A method, implemented using a processor, for temporarily redirecting a customer's mail from a current mailing address to a temporary mailing address, the method comprising: receiving, by the processor, a request to temporarily redirect the customer's mail, wherein the request specifies a user profile, a first type of mail to redirect, a second type of mail, the temporary mailing address, how to redirect the first type of mail, an arrival date, and a departure date, the arrival date being the date the customer will arrive at the temporary mailing address and the departure date being the date the customer will depart from the temporary mailing address; determining, by the processor, a first date to begin mail redirection based on the arrival date and a number of days in advance required to redirect the first type of mail to the temporary mailing address, and determining a second date to cancel mail redirection based on the departure date and the number of days in advance required to redirect the first type of mail to the temporary mailing address; creating, by the processor, an electric trust account funded by the customer to cover a cost to redirect the first type of mail; redirecting, using data from the processor, the first type of mail to the temporary mailing address according to the request and the first date and the second date; electronically debiting, by the processor, the electric trust account an amount to cover a cost of the redirecting; instructing a delivery service provider to provide, based on the user profile, a package to the customer after the customer arrives at the temporary mailing address, wherein the package includes coupons for services or goods, selected based on the user profile, and a confirmation that the first type of mail will be redirected to the temporary mailing address; calculating, by the processor, a time period to hold the second type of mail based on the request; instructing the delivery service provider to hold the second type of mail during the time period; receiving a notification that the customer has arrived at the temporary mailing address; and informing at least one contact specified by the customer that the customer has arrived at the temporary mailing address.