Snatching Someone's Mail is a Federal Crime. Is it a federal offense to open someone else's packages? Yes, it is illegal to open anyone else's mail besides your own. Relevance. The federal statute 18 USC Section 1702 states that it is illegal for individuals to open correspondence that is addressed to other individuals. Top Answer. The package has our exact address, apartment # and all, but it has someone else's name on it. Next Steps. Seeing as you used to be okay with it you might like to mention to her clearly that you would prefer to open all of your own post now. It is illegal, disrespectful, and betrayal. The answer is generally yes, if you recognize that the letter is not intended for you.If you're caught opening someone else's mail, the federal criminal consequences could be dire. Yes, it is illegal to open anyone else's mail besides your own. Because you did not recognize the mail as belonging to someone else before you opened it, no crime has been committed. Still, it's wise to get the owner's permission before you wind up in court accused of mail theft. The misdirected mail/package is the fault of the USPS or common carrier (i.e., FedEx, USP, DHL). package addressed to someone else. 2007-12-01 15:45:38 2007-12-01 15:45:38 § 1702. That's what your second quote covers: Keeping that merchandise is plain theft. Especially if it wasn't an accident. If they brought the package and said it was a mistake, thank them for being honest. A Texan man was not happy about becoming an unofficial post office: "UPS, you delivered someone else's package to me, then GAVE THEM OUR ADDRESS!? Is it illegal to open someone elses package? Is opening someone else's package illegal? If you meet the wrong person, then you're in trouble and that person can sue you. If you want specific legal advice about your situation you must contact your attorney or hire an attorney to represent you. However, intentionally tampering with mail that doesn't belong to you could have serious consequences. Talk to an Attorney If You Are Charged With Obstruction of Correspondence. So yes it can be illegal, but you would have to prove that it was done deliberately and with an ulterior motive. A Royal Mail spokesman admits it's unlikely prosecutions could be brought, simply because of the difficulty of getting evidence. What can I do about it? Answer Save. Is it illegal to open someone else's mail? Stranger shows up to get package - … Wiki User Answered . Someone (not you) ordered merchandise and paid for it, and due to some mistake the merchandise is sent to the wrong address. You can either seal the mail/package again and write “Return to Sender”, or if it is some of your neighbours, you can hand it in yourself, and explain the mistake. Is it Illegal to Open Someone's Mailbox? I will not bring into the house any packages left outside. In this article, we’ll explain what the legalities are when it comes to opening mail that wasn’t intended for you. However, you should be wary of when opening someone else’s mail can actually be illegal. A: Opening mail that is not addressed to you is a federal crime in Australia - but there are some exceptions. My parents received three packages from Amazon with their address and someone else's name. You open your door and there, sitting on your welcome mat, is a clearly marked package from Amazon. nas88car300. I would press charges like you said. let me clarify that statement slightly: if you receive a package from ups, fed ex, dhl, or another private carrier that is intended for someone else, you are free to open it, examine it, keep it, throw it in the trash, whatever, as long as you have not accepted it on the pretense of forwarding it on to the addressee. Especially if it wasn't an accident. 2 Answers. Is it illegal to open somebody else's mail? In general, it is not a good idea to use someone else’s address as your own or to let someone else use your address as their own. Under the Postal Services Act it is illegal to open someone else's mail if done on purpose and done deliberately to use the contents to the detriment of the addressee. Asked by Wiki User. These things happen, and all you have to do is return the mail to its rightful owner and apologize. By doing so, you are not doing anything illegal. Did your neighbors keep the package? You asked if it is illegal. Lv 7. Nothing in this answer is intended to be, nor is it, legal advice. Lv 4. A federal statute known as 18 USC Section 1702 makes it illegal to open correspondence addressed to someone else. If mail is delivered to your address that belongs to someone else it is not illegal to open it. NOT LEGAL ADVICE: All answers are intended to provide information about the law only. Then, they received a letter in their mailbox signed by a women's name that she just moved into the neighborhood and got the address mixed up. It is definitely not right to open up a package or even a simple letter addressed to someone else. Hope I helped, good luck! The mouse is inside another plastic case. I'm wondering: Is it illegal to open it and keep it if it the name is wrong but it has my exact address. I will not take responsibility for packages left on my property. Incredibly rare. If so, i would DEFINITLY press charges. It’s good to know that this rather harmless act won’t land you in hot water. According to the Postal Services Act 2000, it is illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you, unless you can show reasonable excuse. If so, i would DEFINITLY press charges. She left her phone number. 41 42 43. When you copy someone elses work and you give them no credit for it. What is paroalogism? The law was created to punish individuals who knowingly open mail that is addressed to someone else. The Postal Services Act 2000 clearly states that it is certainly illegal to open someone's post, or delay it reaching the owner. That the problem it was sent to the wrong address . 4 years ago. I don't think that as it had someone else's name on it, it could deemed as reasonable excuse. It’s certainly not that hard to accidentally open someone else’s mail without meaning to; I’ll often just open anything left in my in-box without thinking to look at the address, and I’ve sometimes opened something meant for someone else by mistake. Honestly, what makes you think it’s not? Is it illegal to open another person's mail, even if it's mistakenly delivered to your address or mailbox? If you let someone else use your mailing address or you use someone else’s mailing address, it’s the intent that makes this a punishable crime on a federal or state level. 7 years ago. As @NateEldredge mentioned, if everyone follows the letter of the law then NO ONE can EVER get your package from their box. If you pick up or open someone else's mail by accident, you don't need to worry about going to jail. Do nothing with the photos unless a nosy neighbor gets the police involved. Legal ramifications of fraud include fines and/or jail time. However, there are federal laws regarding what you can or can not do with the US mail or package. Accidentally Opening Someone Else’s Mail. You can not open it unless it is addressed to you or given consent. It is illegal, disrespectful, and betrayal. Answer. Under the Telecommunications and Postal Services Act 1989, it is an offence to open mail that you are not authorised to open – that is, if it is not addressed to you. I'm really tempted to use it, and I haven't opened the plastic yet. Not, if unintentional, thinking it is yours because it was in your mailbox. Did your neighbors keep the package? Update: The person saw it was a cochlear implant (obviously very important and very expensive) and made NO attempt to contact me. There are no specific rules about opening someone's mailbox when you don't intend to open, steal or destroy the letters. I would press charges like you said. If you are charged with taking someone else's mail and are facing prosecution, you should speak to a criminal defense attorney right away to learn about your options. That's a totally different situation, and you have absolutely no right to keep merchandise that was destined for someone else. Q: Is it illegal to open someone else's mail in Australia? She asked my parents to leave the packages in front of their door and she will pick up the packages. So it can be considered illegal. Yes, it's illegal to destroy or open them, but you don't have to give them house room either. It is illegal to open mail addressed to someone else but in the case that you didn't notice that it was addressed to another person the legal system might overlook this. 0 0. bierut. If you have accidentally opened someone else’s envelopes or packages, and then plan to return it to the sender, then you have not committed a crime. Opening and destroying mail intended for someone else is a felony crime. It is illegal for your mother to open your post without your consent, although a lot of people are still okay with it. If no one sees you in the act, then no harm done. Unfortunately the law does not take nosy people into account!!! I recommend that you open their box and take multiple photos of yourself extracting your package from their box. Hope I helped, good luck! Learn not to be inquisitive and you won't get into trouble. And even if there was evidence that someone had opened your letters, proving that they had done so intending to act to your detriment would be no easy task. 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