Is it illegal to open post that is not addressed to you?

Question

I am writing an article and need to know if it is illegal and if so does anyone know where I can get more information about this.

Answer 1

without authorisation yes it is illegal

Answer 2

In most cases, this practice is legal as, unfortunately, British citizens are not protected by a privacy law. An act of 1985 makes the 'international interception' of communications illegal, but this is primarily aimed at unauthorised telephone tapping.

Significantly, the Post Office Act 1953 prohibits the opening of 'any postal packet' which ought to have been delivered to another person. In practice, however, this protection for private mail is limited since an offence only arises if it is opened 'wilfully and maliciously with intent to injure another person'. Needless to say, this can be very difficult to prove.

It is common for many organisations to operate a policy of opening the great majority of mail centrally, even if there is an individual addressee on the envelope. This is generally considered reasonable in the interests of efficiency.The recognised exception to this rule is mail addressed to an individual which is plainly marked 'personal'.

Answer 3

It would be illegal to steal post from a post box or someone else's letter box.

But once it's delivered to your address it's not illegal to open it.

Most businesses have a post room that opens everyones post regardless of who it's addressed to.

The only exception is if it's marked Private and Confidential, in which case it's etiquette to leave it to be opened by the addressee only.

Answer 4

Yes, it is illegal if done knowingly, the addressee is still alive, and the addressee is/was available and able to operate effectively, or gave permission for another to act on his/her behalf. A deceased person's estate is looked after by an appointed executor, and this is legal. Comatosed or otherwise injured persons have their mail opened by a bona fide interested party.
If a person is ill and unable to look after their own estate, then a creditor may not gain access to funds.
Otherwise the civil wrong (Tort) of opening another's mail called "Conversion" MAY apply.

Answer 5

I think it depends what country you need to know about. In the UK if the post arrives at your house you can open it, but you can't go stealing someones mail and then open it- that is illegal.

So, if it is not your name on it but arrives at your house with the correct address- you may open it, or just return to sender.

Many businesses hire people to open all the mail that arrives at their offices and then divide them up into what goes where- so it is not illegal to open someone elses mail.

Hope that helps.

Answer 6

I have always been left with the impression that it is indeed illegal, as it would form somd kind of trespass.

Unfortunately, I can't lead you to where to find out for such, but I am using my common sense (and a little bit of instilled morality too, I guess).

However, I have been living in my current house for nearly 20 years and yet we still get post with the previous occupant's name on it. We tend to open these, only with the intention of finding out who to send it back to.

There's probably a lot of guidelines stating at what point it becomes unacceptable.

Answer 7

It would be illegal to open mail that wasn't deliverd to you, or at least addressed to you.

I once received a letter that was mis delivered to our house, it was opened along with all the other letters without me realising I had received it in error. It was addressed to a (married) neighbour, and was from a Gay & Lesbian dating agency to inform them that her membership had been accepted, it also had the credit card receipt in it. I didn't have the guts to give to them, so I taped it up and sent it back. I havn't been able to talk to either him or her since without feeling embarresed.

Answer 8

Yes it is illegal and for more information as at the general post office in you area

Answer 9

I would have thought if it had been posted in your letter box,and you opened it in good faith,it would not be your fault.This has happened to me.You can only selatape it up and post it again,marked sent to wrong address.If it is junk mail,put it in trash can.But if you come by any letter or parcel wrongfully,it would not be legal to open it,if anyone knew you had,that is.I suppose it depends a lot on the circumstances. with kind regards David Harrison

Answer 10

i was always led to believe that opening another persons mail was illegal unless you had explicit permission from them to do so.

if your getting post to your home address to people who don't live there just write ' not at this address' on the envelope and stick it back in the post box thats what i do they tend to stop sending it then.

Answer 11

Yes