Is it illegal to throw away mail sent to your address?

Asked by: Nikolas Bayer | Last update: February 7, 2026

Score: 4.8/5 (23 votes)

Yes, it is illegal under federal law to intentionally open, destroy, or discard mail that isn't addressed to you, even if it's delivered to your address; it can be considered mail tampering or theft and lead to fines or prison time, so you should mark it "Return to Sender" and put it back in the mail system.

Is it illegal to throw away someone else's mail that comes to your house?

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 sue someone for throwing your mail away?

While it may be tempting to shred or throw away this mail, doing so may constitute a felony. Obstruction of correspondence is a federal criminal offense.

Is it safe to throw away mail with my address on it?

However, throwing out your unwanted mail in the trash or recycling bin could put you at risk of identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there were over 1.1 million reports of identity theft received through the FTC's IndentityTheft.gov website in 2022.

What to do if someone else's mail is delivered to your house?

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.

Throwing Away Someone Else's Mail Is A Felony — Here's How To Get Rid Of It Legally

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Is it illegal to keep misdelivered mail?

Yes, it's illegal to intentionally keep misdelivered mail or packages in the U.S., as it's considered mail theft, a federal offense punishable by fines up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison, according to federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1708). You should not open it; instead, write "Wrong Address" and return it to the USPS or contact the carrier, as even minor handling like opening or destroying it can lead to legal trouble.

What to do with mail sent to your house for someone else?

Reporting / returning misdelivered mail

If you are receiving mail for the previous resident and do not know their address, simply return the mail piece back to the mailstream (by leaving in a Collection Box or other mail receptacle) with the notation "Not at this address" marked on the envelope.

What to do if someone throws your mail away?

Report suspected mail losses to Postal Inspectors by calling 877-876-2455 or at www.uspis.gov.

Can I stop other people's mail from coming to my house?

Yes, you can block someone's mail by marking it "Return to Sender" or "Does Not Live Here" and returning it, but for more persistent issues, you should formally notify your local Post Office (USPS) to list authorized residents at your address, as they can't permanently "block" mail but can instruct carriers to stop delivery for specific names, although you may need to repeatedly refuse mail for others, especially bulk mail.

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 can you do if someone won't give you your mail?

Contact your Local Post Office if you need further assistance.

Notify your local police.
Place your mail on hold if needed, until you repair or replace your box.
Report mail theft by following the instructions under "Report Mail Theft", above.

Can I open mail sent to my address but not addressed to me?

Under federal law, it's a crime to intentionally open or destroy mail not addressed to you. Even if it was delivered to your home, you're not allowed to open it unless you have permission from the recipient.

What is the most common thing to sue for?

The most common things people sue for fall into categories like personal injury (especially car accidents), contract disputes, and property disputes, often stemming from negligence, failure to meet obligations, or harm caused by another's actions or faulty products, with workplace injuries, medical malpractice, and employment issues also being frequent.

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 properly dispose of old mail?

Don't toss the junk mail in the trash bin; shred it. Given merely your name, address, and a credit offer, someone could take out a line of credit in your name and spend money, leaving you on the hook.

What do I do if I sent mail to my address with the wrong name?

The first step in handling misdelivered mail is to clearly mark it as "Return to Sender." Grab a pen and write those exact words on the front of the envelope or package. This informs postal workers that the item went to the correct address, and they will send it back to the sender.

Is it illegal to throw away someone's mail that comes to your house?

It is a federal crime to destroy, hide, open, or embezzle mail that is not intended for you. The official crime is obstruction of correspondence, which is a felony. If you're found guilty of this crime, you could face up to five years in prison and some hefty fines.

How do you remove someone from getting mail at your address?

The most effective way to stop receiving mail for previous residents or strangers is to talk to your local Post Office. Most of the time, you'll be able to quickly resolve any issues by listing your household members as the only people who should receive mail at your address.

How do you get someone removed from your address?

A landlord must begin the eviction process and California law requires all persons residing in the property be served with a notice of eviction. Terminating a month to month tenancy can be accomplished with a written eviction notice of 30, 60 or 90 days served upon the tenant.

Can I sue my ex for throwing away my mail?

If someone has intentionally thrown away your belongings without your permission, you may have grounds to sue them for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Is it illegal to throw away mail from a previous tenant?

Yes, it is illegal to throw away a previous tenant's mail, even junk mail, as it's a federal offense (mail tampering or theft) that can lead to hefty fines or up to five years in prison; instead, you should return it to the sender or the Post Office by marking it "Return to Sender" or "Not at this Address".

Is it a crime to keep someone else's mail?

Potential Penalties

While opening mail not addressed to you on accident or with permission is not a crime, a person who steals mail from Postal Service custody may be looking at as much as five years in prison.

How to get someone else's mail to stop being sent to your house?

Simply check the box marked “Refused” on the back of the delivery notice, sign your name by the “X” and place it back in your mailbox.

Is it illegal to open a package sent to your address but not your name?

Yes, it's illegal to intentionally open a package sent to your address but not in your name, as it's considered tampering with mail, a federal crime under laws like 18 U.S.C. § 1702, even if it's a misdelivery; you should mark it "Wrong Address" or "Return to Sender" and put it back in the mail system or contact the postal service. Accidentally opening it isn't a crime, but you must then reseal it and return it as if it were mail for a previous resident.

Can I forward my mom's mail to my address?

To forward the deceased's mail to yourself or to a different address, you must go to a Post Office location to submit a change of address request.