Is it a crime in any US state to dispose of mail that is misdelivered to you?

Question

We know it's morally right to return the mail to the post office or mailman, but is it legally required in any state?

Answer 1

I'm assuming that you're thinking of a situation where you just get someone else's mail in your box, take it inside your home, and then see it's not yours? This happens to everyone, so do we all commit a crime under the US Code when we toss the mail? Good question, but you don't have a full informed answer despite 30 replies here.

You need to do further research, but this may put you on the track. As others have said, federal law applies, and it would be the same in all states. So the answer is contained in federal law, the US Code and regulations.

My, semi-informed guess is that if you've taken it out of your mailbox, it's been delivered, it's out of the mailstream, and not subject to the laws cited by some answerers. You can do what you want with it, legally.

However, you can't take advantage of the misdelivery to commit a crime. For example you can't cash a check made out to some other person -- you can't sell a batch of prescription drugs misdelivered to you -- but these would be separate crimes.

If all you're doing is tossing misdelivered mail, my guess is no crime. Good luck searching for an authoritative answer -- your local post office knows!

Answer 2

It is a Federal crime to destroy or open mail that is not addresed to you.
Write the words "Addressee unknown. Return to Sender" on it and throw it in a mailbox. If you know the person it was addressed to, like your ex or your cousin or roommate, you might write: No longer at this address.
If the mail says :Joe Blow or Current Occupant, that's you.
Do unto others, honey, especially if it is a check or a bill or insurance papers. Be a hero.

Answer 3

I don't know, but I've totally done that before. I can't help it if the wrong mail was delivered to me, and why should I have to go to the post office to return it? I mean it would be the nice thing to do, but are you going to be arrested or receive a citation for not returning the mail? I doubt it.

Answer 4

I know it is annoying to keep getting other people's mail. It happens to me all of the time because we have 3 or 4 streets together that begin with the letter C. Just put it into the mailbox. Underline the address first. One time they kept sending it back to me with the wrong name and right address. I just waited for the postman and told him I didn't want to see it anymore. It is against the law to destroy it. It is very bothersome.

Answer 5

It is a federal crime to either open mail not addressed to you or impede the delivery of mail to its intended recipient. Some states may have additional jurisdiction on this issue.

Answer 6

I don't know about legal.......but morally............do unto others. I would hope that if a letter was misdelivered that someone would put it back in the mail. It only takes a second and its a good deposit in the Karma bank!

Answer 7

I don't think it would be a crime, but it would not be nice. The mailman or somebody else made the mistake, after all. But if it was your mail, you'd probably want to receive it too.

Answer 8

It is against Federal Law to tamper with other people's mail. i would assume that it is against the law to throw away someone else's mail just because it came to you by accident. All you have to do is write "Wrong address" on the envelope and drop it back in a mailbox.

Answer 9

Make no mistake, it is a Federal offense to dispose of 1st Class mail that is not addressed to you..

Answer 10

I constantly throw out mail. Im no mailman so its not my job redeliver or sort other peoples mail. People need to change their own address when they move-thats not my job. Recycle that s.hi.t!