one with a picture; and required stores to provide the Postal Service with quarterly rather than annual lists of boxholders. The identification piece has gone into effect, and Mail Boxes Etc. is seeing "a high level of compliance," though a few customers have resisted because they consider it an invasion of privacy, Rogow said. Those who have been negotiating with the Postal Service in Washington, D.C., say the service has come up with no studies to prove that fraud is more widespread at commercial mailbox outlets than at post office boxes or private residences. That makes them think the rules are an attempt by the Postal Service to put pressure on its private-sector competition. "Maybe I'm skeptical, but I think that's got to be part of it," said Mary Leon, lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Business. The federation's smallbusiness members are concerned about the cost of a change, the burden of additional regulations, and the perception that a service they frequently use is being targeted, she said. The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy has also been involved. It opposes any address designation, calling it in an Oct. 20 letter to the Postal Service "an illusory requirement that ... presents a false sense of security to USPS, while making it more difficult for legitimate businesses to continue to operate in a dignified and cost-efficient manner." The industry, for its part, says it is trying to work more closely with the Postal Service on issues such as fraud, privacy and forwarding of mail. Jane Larson can be reached at (602) 444- 8280 or jane.larson@pni.com.