Mail delivered to the wrong address is a common and costly issue for the USPS. It’s not such a problem if it’s your neighbor’s mail, but what if you’ve moved and ended up with the old tenant’s mail? What to do with mail that is not yours? Don’t be quick to decide to throw away misdelivered mail – stick around to discover which options are available to you in this situation.
What to Do with Mail That Is Not Yours?
You’re starting over in a new state. One day, the wrong address mail finds its way to your mailbox – you have no idea who it belongs to, nor where that person really lives. What do you do? Your first thought might be to simply throw the envelope in the trash, but is that a good idea? Many will be surprised to hear that it’s not only a bad idea but also illegal.
According to the U.S. Code § 1708, tampering with another person’s mail is a felony and can result in legal fines of up to $10,000 or even imprisonment of up to 5 years. You can’t throw it away, destroy it, or even open it – all of that is illegal. Concealing someone else’s mail is pretty much the same as having stolen mail in your possession.
It might sound like the U.S. law takes something as irrelevant as mail a bit too seriously, but think about it for a second. People send valuable information via mail. The letter you’re thinking of throwing out might contain sensitive medical, legal, or financial information. It can also be important personal correspondence; you never know. Plus, it’s just bad manners to deny somebody an opportunity to get the mail that was intended for them. So, what should you do if this happens to you?
Label the Mail Accordingly and Return It to the Mailbox
The goal is to make sure the letter finds its rightful recipient. You can help by simply writing “Not at this address – return to sender” and putting it back in the outbox. Check to make sure there is a sender’s address written in the upper left corner of the envelope.
We must note one little detail here, though. If you decide to write on the envelope with ink, that could be interpreted as destroying the letter, which is, as you remember, illegal. A better way to handle this situation is to write the message on a sticky note and stick it on the envelope. You can also use a pencil that won’t damage the envelope.
Cross Out the Barcode
The barcode on the envelope tells the sorting system where the mail should be delivered. This is quite helpful for your mailman, but it also means they likely won’t take the time to examine the letter to make sure it has reached the right address. A letter marked with “Return to sender” can get stuck in a loop where it will travel between the post office and your address over and over due to this barcode. To prevent this, you should just cross out the code.
Contact Your Landlord
If you’re renting, your landlord can likely help solve this issue for you. They should have a forwarding address for the previous tenant – the mail most likely belongs to them. You can contact the previous tenant and ask them where they want you to send the letter. When they give you the address, just cross out yours and write the new one on the letter. Put it in the outbox, and you’re done.
If This Becomes a Common Occurrence, Inform Your Mail Carrier
If you receive the wrong letter once, it’s not such a big deal. But if it continues to happen, especially if it’s the same recipient every time, you will have to notify your postal carrier of the issue. Visit the local post office and explain the situation. The clerks there will most likely allow you to fill out a change of address form stating that the previous resident hasn’t left a forwarding address after their residential move.
What You Shouldn't Do with the Misdelivered Mail
By now, you understand the essence of the U.S. Code § 1708. The wrongly delivered mail must remain in impeccable condition. This means it’s illegal to damage it in any way, even if you eventually send it back. If you’ve accidentally opened the envelope before realizing that it’s not yours, don’t worry. The accident doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a felony charge. Just tape it back. Simply label it and put it in the outbox, as we’ve explained above.
Don't Cross Out the Recipient's Name
This is very important to remember. If you cross out the recipient’s name for any reason, the post office can’t determine who the letter was intended for, and it won’t find its way to the correct address. This is equivalent to tampering and can result in a heavy penalty for you.
Don't Fill Out a Change of Address Form for the Recipient on Your Own
We’ve said the post office will allow you to fill out a change of address for the previous tenant of your new home, but keep in mind one thing. You must not do it on your own – it can only be done after you notify the post office and get permission to do it. Otherwise, it’s illegal.
Moving Soon? Zip Moving and Storage Is Here to Help
If you plan to move soon, learning how to handle misdelivered mail is important. Still, it is a walk in the park compared to all the relocation logistics. Moving is often too much for anyone to handle on their own, which is why you need to trust professional movers to guide you through this process. With expert moving services, Zip Moving and Storage is here for you. Contact us to book a team of dedicated movers, and your relocation will be easier than you could imagine.
