What do I do if I receive mail for someone who doesn't live here?
Asked by: Mrs. Anastasia Shanahan DVM | Last update: August 20, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (25 votes)
- Write "Not at this address" on mailpiece.
- Don't erase or mark over the address.
- Provide the mailpiece to your mailperson or drop into a Collection Box receptacle.
How do I stop receiving mail for someone that doesn't live here?
Another option is to write "Only the following people live here:" and include your name and the names of anyone else living with you underneath it. This is one way that you can alert your mail carrier so that they know the previous tenant doesn't reside here any longer.
How do I return mail for someone who doesn't live here?
Write ``does not live here'' on the front of the letter. Place it in your mailbox with the flag up so your mail carrier can pick it up and forward it or return it to the sender. If you have a good mail carrier, you won't need to write anything on it. Just place it in the mailbox with the flag up.
How do I stop someone from using my address for their mail?
- Preview your mail. ...
- Return unopened packages. ...
- Refuse unwanted mail addressed to you. ...
- Alert companies that send you someone else's mail. ...
- Opt out of any bulk mailing lists. ...
- Apply for a Prohibitory Order against the sender (if applicable) ...
- Scrub your address from public sites.
Can I throw away mail that is not mine?
In a word, no. 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.
Postal procedure sends mail back to sender
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 do I do if I get someone else'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.
What to do if someone is using your address but doesn't live there?
If you believe someone is using your address to commit fraud, you should: Report it: Report the ID theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consider contacting your local police department. You should also report any mail fraud to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
How do I block someone from mailing me?
On your computer, open Gmail. Open the message from the sender. Click Block "{sender}" or Unblock "{sender}."
Why am I getting mail with someone else's name at my address?
More ominously, a letter that comes to your address in someone else's name may also be a sign you're caught up in synthetic identity theft—a type of identity theft in which a thief mixes real and fake information to create fake identities.
Why am I getting mail for someone who has never lived here?
Clark says that getting someone else's mail could be the result of an innocent clerical mistake, but it could be something much more sinister: a scam called synthetic identity theft.
What to do if you receive a letter for someone else?
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.
What to do with mail for a person who doesn t live there?
- Write "Not at this address" on mailpiece.
- Don't erase or mark over the address.
- Provide the mailpiece to your mailperson or drop into a Collection Box receptacle.
How do you remove someone from your mailing address?
Gather up the mail and take it to your post office. Ask to speak to a supervisor. Tell them the person doesn't live at the location. If you get any mail, mark it return to sender.
Can I open mail sent to my address with a wrong name?
A person's mail is their private property, and delivery to the wrong address doesn't change that. The U.S. takes postal crimes seriously, and opening, tampering with, or destroying mail that isn't yours can potentially land you in a lot of legal trouble.
Can I write a return to sender on mail?
2. Write 'Wrong Address' or 'Return to Sender' on the Envelope: On the envelope, write "Wrong Address" or "Return to Sender." This indicates to the postal service that the item has been misdelivered. Make sure not to cover any essential information like the original return address.
How do I stop someone's mail coming to my address?
- Write "Not at this address" on the exterior of the envelope. (This works only for first class mail.) ...
- Place a sticky note on or in your mailbox. Write on the note, "(Former Resident's Name) does not live at this address". ...
- Cross out the barcode. ...
- Approach your mail carrier directly.
Can you block someone from getting mail at your address?
The simplest way to try and stop previous owners' mail from coming to your address is by writing “no longer at this address” or “return to sender” on the mail you do receive for them. Put these mail items in your outgoing mailbox so that your mail person knows that this resident no longer lives at your home.
How do I block incoming mail?
Open the Mail app, and select a message from the unwanted sender. Click the sender's name twice. Choose Block this Contact. Confirm the action.
What to do if someone is using my address for mail?
Call 1-877-876-2455. Visit www.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online. To learn more about mail fraud or to report suspected fraud, visit the U.S. Postal Inspection Web site at www.uspis.gov.
How do you stop mail for someone who doesn't live here?
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.
What to do when you get mail that isn't yours?
A quick way to inform the mail carrier that the letter doesn't belong to you is to write "return to sender" on the back or front of the envelope. However, you should be careful not to tamper with the letter. Writing with ink is one way of tampering with the letter. To avoid tampering with the letter, use a sticky note.
How do I get mail for someone who never lived here?
If you're receiving mail for someone who no longer lives at the address, write "not at this address" on a note attached to the misdirected mail. If the problem persists, contact the post office on the phone or in person and alert them to the situation.
Is it a crime to receive someone else's mail?
Even if your intentions are good, or you know the person the mail is addressed to, opening and reading another person's mail is a felony.
What to do if I get my neighbor's mail?
- Don't Open or Tamper with the Mail: ...
- Return the Mail to the Post Office: ...
- Speak to Your Neighbors: ...
- Inform the Postal Service: ...
- Keep a Record: ...
- Educate Your Mail Carrier: ...
- Consider Additional Measures: