If you live in Austin, Texas and you want to stop your mail, you must contact the United States Postal Service (USPS). It's free and can be done quickly and easily over the phone, in person or via the USPS website. Stopping mail is a good idea if you're planning a trip of more than a few days, as your mailbox has limited dimensions and stacked-up mail and newspapers can alert burglars and other criminals that no one is at your home.
Go to the USPS website's "Hold Mail" service. Click on the "Household" link on the homepage, then select "Hold Your Mail" from the list of products and services. Input your five-digit ZIP code, acknowledge that you've read the disclaimer, enter your personal information and press "Continue". Enter the period you want the mail held for and confirm your choice.
Call your local post office branch. Postal workers handle stop-mail requests every day. Tell them when you want your mail stopped and restarted. Ask whether you may have to visit the post office to pick up mail if a lot of it has accumulated during the stoppage, or if a large amount can be delivered when you return.
Go to your local post office and ask a customer service representative to stop your mail. Again, they handle these requests regularly, so it won't be a problem. You'll need to provide your address and other personal information, plus a time frame for the stoppage.
