Is it illegal to throw out mail that isn't yours?

What to do when someone else's mail is delivered to you?

The letter carrier will pick it up and deliver it to the correct person. If you get somebody else's mail put it back in the box with the flag up. It will get taken back. If you never want to receive the wrong mail ever again, open a PO Box or build a new house.

What to do with letters that aren't yours?

Is it a felony to throw someone's mail away?

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.

What to do with post delivered to a wrong address?

If this does happen, you can put a cross through the address and write 'Not known at this address' or 'No longer lives here' and put it back in a postbox. Where possible, we'll return the item to the sender hopefully allowing them to update their records.

How do I report someone throwing away mail?

1-877-876-2455.

Can you throw away previous tenant's mail?

Is discarding mail from former renters permitted? Landlords must not throw away or destroy the mail of a previous tenant. This is categorized as a federal offense. Even if you received junk mail, discarding it is still considered illegal.

What to do if you get your neighbor's mail?

If you get mail that doesn't belong to you, then you should not open it. Don't throw it away, either. Instead, take the mail to the correct recipient or write “return to sender” on the package or letter. You can also return it to the post office directly.

Can you sue someone for keeping your mail?

A: Under California law, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the post office and the carrier for withholding mail, returning mail to sender, and causing emotional distress.

What do I do with mail that isn't mine but has my address?

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.

Am I legally obligated to forward mail?

Moving to a new home: When an individual moves to a new home, they must ensure that their mail is forwarded to the new address. Traveling abroad: If an individual travels abroad for an extended period, they may want to forward their mail to a trusted friend or family member.

Can my ex throw away my mail?

Intent is an element

It is not possible to obstruct correspondence accidentally or unknowingly. After all, the intent is an element of the crime. Still, it does not take much to intend to obstruct correspondence. Knowingly shredding or discarding mail that does not belong to you is probably sufficient.

What to do if you get someone else's 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.

Is it illegal to send mail to the wrong address?

It's illegal to send someone else's mail to another address on purpose. You can only change the recipient's address if the person has granted you their consent. This is because you're likely to provide the wrong information. All you can do is use the above methods or remind the recipients to update their addresses.

Can you keep packages wrongly delivered to your house?

This is called an “unsolicited good.” When you're sent an unsolicited good, you're within your rights to keep them. You have no obligation to send the item back or pay for it. If the company sends you an invoice for the item, you can ignore them.

Can you throw away mail that doesn't belong to you?

U.S. Code § 1708 makes it a misdemeanor or felony offense to open or otherwise tamper with mail that you know belongs to someone else. Is it illegal to throw away mail that isn't mine? Yes. See U.S. Code § 1708 again, which includes throwing mail away that's intended for someone else as tampering.

What to do with mail that is not yours USPS?

A person receiving mail not intended for him or her must promptly return it to the Post Office, endorsed “Opened by Mistake” with his or her signature if the letter is opened; otherwise, it should be endorsed “Not for..., Not at this address,” or words to the same effect.

Is it illegal to keep someone else's mail?

YES - this is considered tampering with USPS mail which is a federal crime.

Can I throw away previous tenant's mail?

While it may seem like a simple solution, throwing away a former tenant's mail is not recommended. And you shouldn't try to open or destroy it either as this is illegal. This is considered an obstruction of correspondence and a person can be fined for this felony or even face up to five years in prison.

How do I report mail that is not mine?

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.

What to do if someone throws away your mail?

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