A method and system that enable the recipient of letters, flats and/or packages (hereinafter "mail") that are addressed to the recipient to determine the identity of the person or group that placed an indicia and other information on mail, i.e., the person or group who applied for a license to use the meter before the recipient opened the mail. The invention accomplishes the foregoing by: scanning mail in recipient's home or office that is addressed to the recipient which may contain material that may or may not be life-harming; capturing an image of the face of the mail, which includes the name and physical address of the recipient and the postal indicia; and processing the image on the face of the mail to identify the mailer and the mail to assess the possibility of the presence of life-harming material in the mail.