What is the penalty for opening mail that is not yours?

It’s a federal offense to open mail that doesn’t belong to you. If you do it intentionally, you could be looking at a $250,000 fine and up to five years in a federal prison.

Is it illegal to open mail addressed to someone else at your address?

The federal statute 18 USC Section 1702 states that it is illegal for individuals to open correspondence that is addressed to other individuals. However, if you accidentally open someone else’s mail, you have not committed a crime.

What happens to mail if addressed to previous resident?

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.

Can you open mail addressed to your house but not your name?

It is a federal crime to open or destroy mail that is not intended for you. The law provides that you can not “destroy, hide, open, or embezzle” mail that is not addressed to you. If you intentionally open or destroy someone else’s mail, you are committing obstruction of correspondence, which is a felony.

Can I open mail addressed to my house with a different name?

It is illegal to knowingly open, take or throw away mail that is sent to your address in another person’s name. However, if it says a different name and “Or Current Resident”, then you can open the mail as the current resident.

Is it illegal to open a previous tenant’s mail?

It’s reasonable to assume that mail in your own mailbox is yours without looking at the name, so if you open the previous tenant’s letter on accident, you might be off the hook. Knowingly and purposefully opening another person’s mail is still illegal if the mail came to your address with someone else’s name on it.

What are the penalties for opening someone else’s mail?

Intentionally opening, intercepting or hiding someone else’s mail is the felony crime of mail theft. It comes with some heavyweight penalties, including five years’ incarceration in a federal prison. You should be okay if you open mail accidentally, however, as long as you take the proper steps to reunite the mail with its owner.

Is it against the law to open mail without a forwarding address?

It is against the law for anyone to open mail not addressed to them. Even throwing the mail away is considered a form of mail theft. A landlord shouldn’t have to spend much time dealing with mail from former tenants with no forwarding address. A few simple steps should remedy the problem quickly.

Is it illegal to open someone’s mail if the addressee has died?

Simply write, “Wrong Address” or “Return to Sender” on the envelope instead and give it back to the service that sent it. Redirecting the mail is the safest way to make sure you stay on the right side of the law. It’s not illegal to open someone’s mail if the addressee has died and you’re authorized to manage her estate.