How it works
One key, one hand-off, and an address that keeps itself current.
Your key
Every person gets a standing key such as K7M-4QX-9RD8. It has 10 characters shown in groups of 3, 3 and 4. The characters are digits plus the letters A, D, F, H, J, K, M, Q, R, S, W, X and Y, picked because they are hard to confuse over a phone line. The last character is a check, so a typo is caught before anything is looked up.
The app shows your key large, with a read-back such as "Kilo Seven Mike" next to it, and a QR code. You can also make a one-time key that stops working after its first use or after a time you choose, which suits handing an address to someone in person.
One hand-off, step by step
- The caller says the key. "My MailKey is K7M, 4QX, 9RD8."
- The rep types it in and sees a masked preview. First name, last initial, city and state: "Mike G. in Arlington, VA." Nothing is shared yet.
- The rep confirms with the caller, then claims the record. If the preview doesn't match the person on the line, the key was misheard, and the rep tries again. If it matches, the business holds your name and address.
- You can see it. Every lookup and every read is recorded, and the history is in the app.
When you move
Open the move screen, enter the new address and the effective date, and choose who gets it (everyone, by default). On that date each business and friend you shared with receives the new address. Anyone you leave out loses access on the same day.
Staying in control
- See everyone who holds your address, and revoke any of them.
- Require your approval before any business gets your address. Between people, a claim waits for your one-tap approval by default.
- If someone you cut off still knows your key, rotate it. The old key stops working and you choose who keeps access.
Keeping addresses fresh
Every address carries the date it was last confirmed, and MailKey asks you once a year to confirm it. If a business reports that mail came back, you are asked to confirm or update your address.
Households
One account can hold a whole household: a partner, children, an elderly parent. A child's key always needs a parent's approval.