Can you put misdelivered mail in a mailbox?

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. 

How to get USPS to stop delivering other people's mail?

Persistent Mail for Previous Residents

1. Visit Your Local Post Office. Ask them to place a note on your address record that says, “[Name] no longer lives here.” This often stops repeat deliveries at the source.
2. Contact Regular Senders Directly. ...
3. Use a Mailbox Label.

What to do with mail that is not yours but has your address?

If someone uses your address for mail, report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, contact your local police, and alert credit bureaus about potential identity theft; for simple misdeliveries, write "Not at this address" and return the mail, but for suspected fraud, document everything and monitor credit reports closely. 

Can I keep something delivered to me by mistake?

If a package is addressed to you but you didn't order it, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says you can keep it as a free gift; however, if the package is addressed to someone else or delivered to the wrong address, you should not keep it, as opening or keeping mail not addressed to you can be a federal crime (mail theft) under U.S. Postal Service (USPS) laws, so contact the carrier or company instead. 

Does return to sender still work with USPS?

Return to Sender by USPS

If you don't want to receive the package, USPS will send it back to the shipper with the endorsement "Return to Sender."

What is the penalty for throwing away someone else's mail?

Stealing, destroying, defacing, or interfering with the delivery of mail is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. To avoid potential legal troubles, here's what not to do with mail that isn't yours. Throw It Away. Tossing someone else's mail into the trash is tantamount to stealing it.

Can you press charges on someone for throwing away your 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.

How to get rid of mail that's not yours?

If the mail reaches your address but bears the wrong recipient's name, simply mark it as 'Moved' or 'Unknown' and drop it in a mailbox.

What is the penalty for putting mail in someone's mailbox?

Those who are found guilty of crimes against mailboxes or the mail inside face fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.

Can I put a note in my neighbor's mailbox?

508.3. 1.3 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM): "No part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle.

Is it illegal to put a birthday card in my neighbor's mailbox?

Placing items in a mailbox is illegal if they do not have official postage and are not sent through the US Postal Service (USPS). EDDM is a specific service offered by the USPS.

How do you return mail that is not yours?

Return It: Simply leave the marked mail in your mailbox or drop it off at a nearby post office. They will handle the return process. Inform Your Postal Carrier: If you keep receiving mail for a previous resident, it might be helpful to let your postal carrier know about the situation.

Can you stop a piece of mail from being delivered?

For a fee, USPS Package Intercept® service lets the sender (or authorized representative) stop delivery or redirect a package, letter, or flat that is not out for delivery or already delivered.

What to do if someone is using your address but doesn't live there?

Report a scam or mail fraud with the USPIS

There's also a complaint hotline at 1-800-372-8347. Postal inspectors — the federal law enforcement and security arm of the USPS — investigates all complaints that they deem valid. Along with mail fraud, you can report identity theft and suspicious mail.

How do I stop someone else's mail from being delivered to my address?

To stop someone's mail, return it to the carrier with "Return to Sender" or "No Longer at This Address," clearly label your mailbox with only your names, and notify your local post office to put a note on the address record, which is the most effective method for preventing repeat deliveries of first-class mail. For bulk or junk mail, simply discard it, as it's often undeliverable and won't stop unless the sender updates their list. 

What do you do with incorrectly delivered mail?

You can cross out the address, write 'Not known at this address' or 'No longer lives here,' and drop it in a postbox. We'll try to return it to the sender so they can update their records. If you've received a 'Something for you' card with the wrong name, we recommend throwing it away.

Is it a crime to keep misdelivered mail?

Is it legal to keep a misdelivered package? Purposely keeping or damaging the package could land you in legal trouble, as willfully destroying mail may be punishable by the federal government, the USPS said.

Can you legally stop someone from sending you mail?

An addressee may request the postmaster, in writing, to withhold from delivery (for a period not to exceed 2 years) any foreign letter or publication material with a specified name or address on the outside.

What do I do if I receive mail for someone who doesn't live here?

If you receive mail for someone who doesn't live at your address, write "Not at this address" or "Return to Sender" on the envelope (avoid marking over the address or barcode, unless crossing out the barcode on the back) and give it back to your mail carrier or drop it in a collection box; for persistent issues, leave a note in your mailbox for the carrier or contact your local post office to update their records for that address.