U.S. Monitor is a service that companies often use to determine the efficiency of their mailings. Companies are often very interested to find out if the things they send out are received in a timely manner as well as what condition the mailings are in when they arrive. U.S. Monitor hires mail decoy agents to receive mail from various companies.
After receiving pieces of mail, agents input into the computer when the pieces were received and in what condition they arrived. The company has been around since 1973, and it's been a consistently good way for many people to earn extra money online.
How much does U.S. Monitor pay?
U.S. Monitor pays their mail decoy agents a flat rate of $10 per month and an additional .25 per piece of mail received. The amount of money you can make for doing this is not guaranteed apart from the $10 a month, but some people have been able to make as much as $200 per month.
The amount is really dependent on how much mail you get. You can't make a living from this job, but as mentioned above, it could provide a nice little source of extra money every month.
What method payment does U.S. Monitor use and when do they pay?
You are paid once every month for U.S. Monitor, but there are no details available on method of pay. I would guess they pay with a check, and I'll update this post if I find out otherwise.
Related: Opinion Outpost is looking for online survey respondents – low cash out with same day pay.
What does the application process involve?
You just fill out a form to apply. You don't need to have any special skills at all, and there are no tests to take. The company only accepts agents in specific zip codes. If they already have a mail decoy agent actively working in your area, it's not likely you'll hear back after signing up. Additionally, the company receives a large number of applications, so you may also be placed on a waiting list before being accepted.
Does U.S. Monitor accept decoy agents from outside the U.S?
When you sign up, there is a drop down box for country, and several different countries are available to select. They do not state which countries they accept applications from, but if you are not from the United States and would like to do this, you could always try applying to see what happens.
What is the work with U.S. Monitor like?
Mail decoy agents tend to receive between 10 and 40 pieces of mail per day. Sometimes the mail will be in the form of newsletters and flyers, and sometimes you'll get actual products that you can occasionally keep.
You have to get on your computer every day and go through a short process to let U.S. Monitor know about the mail you received, including what day it came in and in what condition it arrived. You also have to let them know if you received no mail.
The mail you get personally and the mail you get from U.S. Monitor will be different because the U.S. Monitor mail has a special code on it. This code helps to keep you from confusing U.S. Monitor mail with your personal mail. the company wants you to keep the mail you receive for between 5 and 7 days, and then you will either discard it or return it depending on what they want.
If you have to return mail, you will do so in postage-paid envelopes that U.S. Monitor provides. Nothing ever comes out of your pocket.
The mail comes in slowly at first, but the longer you are with U.S. Monitor, the more mail you should start to receive.
Is It Worth It?
If you're looking for a little extra money in addition to what you already earn from a day job, then possibly. Unfortunately, there are many people who sign up for this and never hear anything back because of the huge number of applications U.S. Monitor receives and the fact that they only need one person per zip code. As tempting as it may be, it's best not to apply more than once if you don't hear anything back after the first time you apply.
Things I've read online about the company indicate that applications are kept on file and they will let you know if they need you.
If you want to sign up, you can do so by filling out the form on their website here.
Looking For More Ways to Earn Extra Cash Online?
Check out this massive list of 100 legitimate extra cash ideas (all of which you can do in the comfort of your home, in your PJ's!). And if you are OK with taking surveys online, Opinion Outpost is one of the oldest and most reputable. They have a very low cash out threshold with same day pay.
I started as a decoy agent for U.S. Monitor in May, 2013 (see my previous post at that time). My average monthly checks are $30-$35, but there’s no stress involved. Possibly I might earn more in a metropolitan area or after more years with the company. Every little bit helps, of course, and interaction with company personnel is always friendly. Thank you, Anna, for keeping us informed of opportunities like this!
I miss this job. Back in the 2010 year, I was booked as a decoy agent. Every month of doing this was definitely worth it. It was $10 a month with 25 cents per mail. One of the easiest ways to get free money and all you do is wait for the mail. There was another one that I was on too but not sure if they’re still around.
If any of you wonder if this is worth signing up for, GO FOR IT!!! It’s worth doing this or you’ll mentally kick yourself for it.
I worked for US Monitor for 10 years. I just resigned a few months ago because I no longer had the time to keep up with my daily volume (I work full time) Great company. I highly recommend.
Hi,
Is this an independent contractor job, or is it an employee position?
Thanks.
It’s independent contractor work.
I have worked with US Monitor since May 2014 and it is one of my favorite eggs right now.
My first check I received was for $13 but the last check I got (today) for work done in August was for $74! for like 20 minutes of work a day!
While it is true you can’t make a living with this, but once I hit $50 I started using these checks to pay my cellphone bill so that is a plus.
And on the company “Hauser” STAY AWAY! I tried working for them and I never got paid, and even after I stopped inputting mail, responding to emails and even requested for them to stop sending me pieces they still send me pieces and I immediately throw them in the trash.
I’ve been working for US Monitor for about a year and really like it. Regarding vacations, they do prefer that you have someone else enter your mail if you are going to be gone; or as a 2nd option, they would like someone to bundle and send it back to them once or twice a week while you’re gone. That is the only downside, because I don’t always have someone I can ask to do that. So far I’ve been able to figure something out, but I can see there may come a time when they may let me go because of it.
Also, as of today, 8/19/14, they are looking for someone in northern CA whose zip code begins with 960.
I am interested in doing this, but would like to know what you do if you go out of town or on vacation and can’t check your mail.
I think if I remember correctly it’s not a big deal if you go out of town, you just have to give them some advance warning.
I applied to U.S. Monitor last year and forgot about it. This week I received a call and an email from Carol (very nice lady). She made arrangements for me to begin immediately so I’m excited about this new project. The company requires us to inform our postmaster and mail delivery person that we will be receiving mail addressed to other names so it won’t be returned to the senders. That makes sense, expecially in small towns like mine. From the comments I read here, it sounds like this will be good!!! Thank you, Anna, for everything you do 🙂
I just filled out the form, I would love to make a few extra bucks a month! Does anyone know if they use rural areas? I’m pretty far back in the sticks, so I’m fairly sure I don’t have much competition here… I’m hoping this is a good thing. :0)
I can confirm they use people in rural areas. I am very rural and have been with them for 4 or 5 years, I think.
The amount of mail likely isn’t at the level of a less rural area, however. My checks are usually around $35-$40/month and it took a few years to get up to that.
The company itself is great. It seems they are a rather small company employee wise but I could be wrong. I always receive a prompt reply from one of two people when I email. They are also quite prompt at contacting you via phone/email if you forget to enter your mail.
I tried signing up with US Monitor – but keep getting error messages from their site after hitting enter. I tried using their contact form – but same thing.
Anyone know if their website is down/not working at the moment? How else can I contact them about signing up?
Thanks for this info!
I had looked into Hauser – but all i saw were tons of complaints about not getting paid. I haven’t found anything negative about US monitor yet.
L 🙂
Lori, I think US Monitor has their headquarters based out of somewhere in New York, possibly an area that might have been affected some by Sandy? I’m wondering if that’s the problem. I can’t get their page to load either. I’d wait another few days and try again in case that is what is going on.
I’ve been with this company for years, and it is extra change each month that comes in handy. I never made more than $120.00 a month but that depends on where you live, that’s how much more/less mail pieces you get. The pay is prompt each month and if there’s a problem you contact them and they look into or have an answer. Payment is by check during the 2nd or 3rd week of the month. My only issue is I wish they had direct deposit instead of watching for the ck to come in the mail. Otherwise great company to work for.
Thanks for sharing your input Denise! I have heard great things about them too and only wish I could get in. But they have never been hiring in my zip code that I know of.
I have been a mail decoy for 9 month now, love it! Pay is always on time.
I have worked for US Monitor for about 2 years now and really enjoy the work. I lucked out and they hired me the day after filling out my application but I have heard of very long waits. They always post new openings on the agent message board and if you like when they do so, I will post where (what city) they need someone here for all to see. Your review was pretty much dead on accurate. It was a little slow to build up but after 2 years I am making little over $100 a month. The work actually takes less than 20 minutes a day usually so not too bad. Out of all the mail I receive I probably send maybe 20-30 pieces back to them on the first of the month, some gets held for 60 days the rest gets dumped after 7 days. Its a great place to pick up some extra money.
Thanks Jim! Yes, if you know where they need agents, it would be great if you could pop by and share it. This is a great company to get on with — $100 a month for just 20 minutes a day is wonderful. I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
Okay I will do that no problem. The last one they were looking for was in Cheyenne, Wyoming but just checked and it is off the message board so I assume they found one.
One of the reps at US Monitor had seen this posting and emailed me and asked if I could let your readers know that they are looking for an Agent in Alamogordo, NM 88310. so if any of your readers in that zip code see this it would be a really good opportunity.
Thanks, will do!
So happy to read about this here. I applied a few months ago to US Monitor. It took about 3 weeks before I got an email from them. Apparently I got lucky, and they needed someone in my zipcode. I got my first mail at the end of August. So far in September, I’m getting at least 1 piece per day, and I got an email from them last week wanting to give me more. Hooray!
Just an update on the payout… I got a check in the mail Sept 2nd for July. 🙂 It was only $11 since I didn’t really get any mail til Aug. but I’ll take it!
That’s wonderful! I wish they would hire me 🙂
I signed up for this and used you as a referral- thanks
Thanks Jodi!!! I really appreciate that!
I did the application for us monitor may 2010 and they emailed me about the baby program also (around dec 2010)but didn’t write me back when I replied that I was interested. But yesterday they called and emailed and hired me! after more than a year. Hope I get lots of mail!
Yay! That’s great 🙂 I would like to be hired, too. Maybe I will apply again.
This piqued my curiosity. I signed up; we'll see if they contact me!