Ordered that the order is affirmed, with costs.
"Nail and mail" service pursuant to CPLR 308 (4) may be used only where personal service under CPLR 308 (1) and (2) cannot be made with due diligence. "The due diligence requirement of CPLR 308 (4) must be strictly observed, given the reduced likelihood that a summons served pursuant to that section will be received" ( Gurevitch v. Goodman, 269 AD2d 355). Contrary to the defendant's contention, the Supreme Court properly concluded that the three attempts made by the plaintiffs' process server to personally serve him at his residence satisfied the due diligence requirement ( see Johnson v. Waters, 291 AD2d 481; Rodriguez v. Khamis, 201 AD2d 715; Matos v. Knibbs, 186 AD2d 725).