What to Do When Someone is Using Your Address for Mail Delivery
Discovering that someone is using your address for mail delivery can be frustrating and confusing. Incorrectly delivered mail, misdirected packages, or even potential legal issues can arise if the situation is not addressed properly. This guide will walk you through the steps to take when you encounter such a situation, ensuring that your mail and packages are correctly diverted to their intended recipients.
Proper Handling of Non-Deliverable Mail
Go to the Post Office. Return all mail or packages not addressed to you to your local post office. This is the correct place for the post office to process these items according to their guidelines. This action prevents confusion about who should be receiving mail and packages at your address.
Stopping Incorrect Mail Deliveries
Label Your Mailbox. If you own or rent an individual mailbox, label it with the street number and the last names of the individuals who should receive First Class mail or packages. This labeling helps the mail carrier identify the correct recipients. If you use centralized cluster boxes, ensure that there is a corresponding label in the front of the box facing the mail carrier.
Note: Apartment Complexes. If you live in an apartment complex, ask the management to provide the mail carrier with a list of current residents. This information should be updated regularly and provided to the mail carrier to correctly label mailboxes.
Updating USPS Information
Fill Out a New Customer Card. Taking the time to complete a new customer/resident card at your local USPS location can direct the mail carrier and USPS on who should receive mail and packages at the address. In the past, I have used the VACANT card or Form 4232 to communicate my needs. If the mail carrier places a VACANT card in your mailbox, fill it out immediately with the names of those who should be receiving mail and place it inside your mailbox. Also, include any past residents who no longer have an address and should be removed from the list.
TIP: Keep the form updated. Remove or add names as necessary, and submit a new form when you see a new mail carrier on your mail route. Regular updates ensure that the information is always accurate.
Utilizing USPS Informed Delivery
Register Your Address. Registering your address with USPS Informed Delivery can be a useful tool. This free service emails you daily with notifications of USPS mail and packages that should be delivered to your address, including past resident mail. The goal is to have only mail intended for you appearing in this service. Even if a past resident's mail appears but is not delivered, it indicates that the mail carrier is sorting mail before delivery, which is positive. However, you still need to ensure that this individual is not connected to your address for legal reasons.
TIP: If you are receiving mail for past residents, they could still have access to your Informed Delivery account. Contact Informed Delivery and have their account deleted or removed. Use the search function with the keywords "USPS Email Us", select "usps. com" under "what’s the reason for inquiry", then "informed delivery" address issues, and provide your specific situation.
Proper Return of Past Resident Mail
Return All Past Resident Mail to USPS. Return all past resident mail to the USPS post office to ensure it is correctly processed. This prevents confusion about who should be receiving mail and helps avoid potential issues with mail carrier documentation. If your mail carrier is properly trained, they will submit the paperwork 3575Z/MLNA for past residents who are no longer at the address. However, make sure that the mail carrier physically sees the returned items and handle them correctly.
TIP: Write "NOT at this address" on each past resident mailer and place them inside your mailbox, flag up. If you use centralized cluster boxes, place returned mailers inside your specific CBU slot. Place them standing on the edge for attention or tie a ribbon around a bundle of returned mail. Do not place them in the CBU outgoing mail slot or the USPS collection box, as they may be lost and re-delivered to your mailbox.
Do Not Cross Out Barcodes. Crossed-out barcodes can provide important information for mail carrier documentation. If you need to remove a name, use the option "N" in your handheld scanner to indicate that the address is no longer valid.
Personalized USPS PO Box
If you receive mail in a USPS PO Box, take the past resident mail to the post office clerk and inform them that the individual no longer owns the PO Box. Ask the clerk to submit MLNA (Mailbox Leave No Address) for the individual. Ensure that your PO Box form 1093 is current, as it instructs the clerk on who should receive mail in the PO Box. The clerk should also label your PO Box with the last names listed on the form 1093.
Handling “Or Current Resident” Mailers
Note: If a past resident mailer includes the wording "or current resident," you are considered the current resident. You can legally open and dispose of this mail. Do not return these mailers to the USPS. Including your name on their mailing list could lead to the mail carrier marking the address as vacant if they determine that you are not the current resident. Instead, contact the sender and request the removal of the name and address from their postal mailing list.
By following these steps, you can effectively address the issue of mail delivery to an incorrect address and ensure that your personal information and property are protected from unwanted mail and packages.