Originally Posted by Keith

When you log-in the number of active, unread messages should appear in the toolbar at the page bottom (page top if you're mobile). For example, my toolbar at this moment says, "home | welcome, Keith! log out | control panel | messages (6), etc". You can also see private messages by clicking the link for your 'control panel' and also from the 'quick links' which is towards the top of the page, on the right, looking for the 'private messages' link. You can also setup your username to receive email notice when a private message arrives. This is how I normally find out I have a private message.