The Protect Paper Choice Coalition (PPCC) announced that over 100,000 Americans filed comments in opposition to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed Regulation E-Delivery, which would make electronic delivery the default for financial disclosures. The PPCC includes the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA), which support continued delivery of paper documents disclosing sensitive financial information to Americans.
“For so many Americans, especially seniors, rural communities and individuals without reliable internet access, paper delivery is essential,” said Mark Pitts, AF&PA vice president of industry affairs. “Americans already have the option to choose digital delivery. Those who rely on paper statements and notices should not face new barriers to accessing essential communications. The overwhelming response to the SEC proposed rule clearly shows that Americans of all ages and backgrounds trust and prefer paper delivery as their first choice for sensitive information.”
If implemented by the SEC, the new rule would mandate that Americans must opt-in to paper delivery of financial documents, upending a long-trusted delivery method as the default for financial statements. The rule could ultimately benefit online criminals who frequently imitate bank statements and other formal notices to gain access to their victims’ financial accounts.
“The volume of comments in opposition to the SEC’s proposed rule makes it clear that Americans trust paper mail to receive their most critical data from their financial institution,” said Marie Clarke, president of the Envelope Manufacturers Association. “Americans lose billions to online scams each year. If digital delivery of financial communications becomes the default, online scammers will have even more opportunities to take advantage of vulnerable residents.”
Polling confirms that the American public wants the option to choose how they receive their sensitive information and that they are deeply concerned about digital delivery of important documents. 80 percent of U.S. consumers want to choose how they receive important communications, and 65 percent of Americans worry about their electronic data being compromised. Their fears are well-founded, with Americans losing $148.2 billion to online scams every year.
Published October 2026
