Can I press charges against someone for opening my mail?
Asked by: Talia Bartell | Last update: March 7, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (63 votes)
Yes, you absolutely can report and pursue action against someone for illegally opening your mail, as it's a serious federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1702, punishable by fines and prison, regardless of carrier (USPS, FedEx, etc.), with the key factor being intent to obstruct correspondence. You should report the incident to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and potentially your local police, documenting everything to build your case for prosecution, as this isn't just a minor infraction but a felony.
Can you press charges on someone for opening your mail?
Yes, you may press charges against a person that opened mail addressed to you even if the address was their house. Keep in mind that opening or destroying mail that is addressed to someone else is a crime called ``Obstruction of Correspondence.'' It is a serious felony that could lead to prison time.
What to do if someone else opens my mail?
If someone opens your mail without permission, you can report it to the police as mail tampering or theft. Document dates and details of incidents, including package delivery addresses and involved parties. Retain any communication or evidence showing unauthorized access.
What is the punishment for opening someone's mail?
Mail theft is best known as a federal crime, and under USC Section 1702 of Title 18, if you open someone else's mail, it is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. This section of the law applies whether a letter or package is sent via UPS, USPS, FedEx, Amazon, or any other private carrier.
Is it against the law for someone to open my mail?
The short answer is "yes." Opening or destroying mail that is addressed to someone else is a crime called "Obstruction of Correspondence." It is a serious felony that could lead to prison time. It is remarkably easy to find yourself charged with this crime, even if you didn't mean to do anything wrong.
Is Opening Someone's Mail A Felony? - CountyOffice.org
Can I open mail that has my address but not my name?
No, you cannot open mail sent to your address with the wrong name; it's a federal crime to intentionally open, destroy, or tamper with mail not addressed to you, even if it was misdelivered to your home, but you should mark it "Addressee Not at This Address" or "Return to Sender" and put it back in your mailbox for the postal service to correct. If you accidentally open it, just tape it shut and return it, as intent matters, but do not keep or destroy it.
Can my mom go to jail for opening my mail?
Yes, your mom can face federal charges, including fines and jail time, for intentionally opening mail addressed to you, as it's a federal crime (18 U.S. Code § 1702), regardless of her owning the house, though prosecutions are more common for unrelated individuals; accidental opening might be less serious, but intentional tampering with mail not addressed to oneself is illegal.
Who can legally open your mailbox?
No, it is generally illegal for a landlord to check or open a tenant's mailbox. Federal law protects mailboxes and the mail within them, and only the USPS mail carrier, the mailbox owner (tenant), and sometimes authorized USPS employees are allowed access.
How serious is mail theft?
Mail theft is a very serious federal crime that has surged, leading to significant financial fraud, identity theft, and potential prison time (up to 5 years) and large fines for offenders, as criminals target checks, credit cards, and personal information, causing major losses for individuals and businesses. It's not just about lost mail; it's a gateway to larger criminal enterprises, impacting credit scores, finances, and causing widespread stress, making it a priority for federal law enforcement like the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
How do you report when someone opens your mail?
To report mail fraud to The U.S. Postal Inspection Service online, you may fill out and submit the Mail Fraud Complaint Form . You may also call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service hotline at 1-800-372-8347 to file a complaint about suspected mail fraud.
Am I obligated to return misdelivered mail?
Yes, you are generally obligated to return misdelivered mail that isn't unsolicited merchandise, often by marking it "Not at this address" and returning it to the mailstream or your carrier, as keeping it could be mail tampering, though you can keep truly unsolicited items sent to you by mistake. For mail addressed to you but for a previous resident, mark it and return it; for mail for someone else entirely at your address, the USPS advises returning it to the mailstream, as it's still considered mail that should be handled correctly.
What should I do if my mail has been opened?
If it looks as if your mail has been opened, this may be due to machine damage. However, please check to see if anything is missing. We take your mail security seriously, so tell us if you think it has been tampered with. In addition, please keep the envelope, as it may be needed during our investigation.
Who investigates mail theft?
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service supports and protects the U.S. Postal Service and its customers by enforcing the laws that defend the nation's mail system from illegal or dangerous use.
Does USPS take mail theft seriously?
Yes, the USPS takes mail theft extremely seriously, treating it as a federal crime investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which arrests thousands annually and uses high-security measures like Project Safe Delivery to combat rising theft, focusing on enforcement, new technology, and increased penalties.
How often is mail theft prosecuted?
During the first ten months of FY 2020 the government reported that 1,200 new criminal prosecutions were filed from investigations led by the Postal Inspection Service[1]. If these prosecutions continue at the same pace, the annual total of prosecutions will be 1,440 for this fiscal year.
Can I call the cops for someone opening my mail?
Report all suspected mail theft to your local police and Postal Inspector.
Can I sue someone for opening my mailbox?
Yes, you can take legal action when someone intentionally opens your mail, as it's a federal crime (mail tampering/theft) with potential criminal penalties (fines, jail time), and you can also sue in civil court for damages if you've suffered losses like financial harm or identity theft, often involving reporting it to the USPS and local police, according to FindLaw and LegalMatch.
Can I call the police if someone is blocking my mailbox?
You can maybe call the non-emergency number for the local police and inquire if there's an ordinance in place against parking in front of a mailbox when it prevents mail delivery. Remember, the non-emergency number. Do not call 911 for this.
How do I get someone in trouble for opening my mail?
Ok, even if you don't have any provable money damages, you could still contact the local Postmaster General's office and file a formal complaint for mail tampering... which can be charged as a felony under the law if the Postmaster decides to pursue a case against roommate...
Is it illegal for people to open your mailbox?
Under 18 U.S. Code § 1702, it is illegal to open, take, or destroy mail that belongs to someone else before the person gets it. The law applies to letters, packages, and any other type of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service.
What if I accidentally opened my neighbor's mail?
Despite the inconvenience, the proper thing to do is return the misdelivered item. If you've already opened it, securely reseal the letter or package and mark it with “return to sender” or “wrong address”. Deposit the item in your outgoing mail or nearest mailbox.
What is the +1 email trick?
The "+1 email trick," also known as plus addressing, lets you create unlimited email variations from one address (e.g., yourname+1@gmail.com, yourname+newsletter@gmail.com) by adding a + and any keyword before the @ symbol, with all mail still landing in your primary inbox, allowing for easy tracking, filtering, and managing subscriptions without creating new accounts, though some sites block this.
Can I throw away mail with my address but a different name?
Destroying mail that was not intended for you may be prohibited by US laws. Willfully destroying mail is an act that may be punishable by the Federal Government.
What to do if someone is opening your mail?
If you have witnessed or suspect you have been victim to mail fraud, mail theft, scam emails/texts, identity theft, cybercrime, suspicious mail or purchased counterfeit stamps, be sure to report it to federal inspectors.
How serious are Postal Inspectors?
Postal Inspectors are very serious: they are sworn federal law enforcement agents with the authority to carry firearms, make arrests, serve warrants, and investigate over 200 federal laws, focusing on crimes attacking the U.S. Mail system, like fraud, identity theft, narcotics, and threats. They are considered an elite, highly trusted investigative agency, taking their role in protecting the mail's integrity and public trust extremely seriously, tackling everything from mail theft to bioterrorism linked to the postal system.