USPS warns Americans not to keep ‘accidental’ mail – it could land you a $250,000 fine and jail time
We’ve all been there - opened the mailbox only to find a letter or package that definitely does not belong to us.
Usually, it's the simple mistake that the postal worker accidentally delivered the envelope or parcel to the wrong address - which of course is not your fault.
Then temptation might take over - especially with 'mystery boxes' showing up on our TikTok feeds all the time. But as seducing as it might be to tear it open, doing so could actually ruin your life.
That's because the United States Postal Service has issued a warning to all Americans about handling misdelivered mail, and the consequences for slip-ups are staggering.
Advert
If you receive someone else's mail and you're curious enough to open it, then you risk being hit with a six-figure fine - ouch!
Even if you do not physically open the envelope or package, simply holding onto it instead of returning it to its proper recipient is an offense.
Fortunately, the postal service has very specific guidance on what you should do depending on the exact nature of the frustrating delivery mix-up.
If the mail was simply delivered to the wrong location, you should safely return the parcel to your mailbox or hand it directly to the postal worker who delivers your mail. When doing this, it is crucial that you do not erase, mark, or write over any of the original delivery information on the printed packaging.
However, if the address is completely correct but the intended recipient does not actually live there anymore, the official advice changes slightly.
In this scenario, homeowners should carefully write 'not at this address' on the mail, making sure they do not erase or mark over the printed address. You should then hand the envelope or package back to a mailperson or securely drop it off in one of the blue public collection boxes.
The federal agency explicitly notes that 'willfully destroying mail' - which actually includes just throwing it into your household garbage because you simply can't be bothered to go out your way to help return the mail - is considered a criminal act.
If you are convicted of this offense, you could face shocking fines of up to $250,000 and be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison. Penalties can be increased even further if the mail theft involved an intent to commit identity theft, credit card fraud, or other similar crimes.
People often face multiple severe charges prosecuted together for a single careless act - but this is not the only hefty fine ordinary customers need to worry about.
A recent hazardous materials labeling policy means packages containing everyday items like perfume, nail polish, or lithium batteries must be properly labeled and cost an extra $7.50.
If these specific packages are mislabeled or entirely unlabeled despite holding hazardous materials, the shipper can be hit with a $50 fine.
So next time you receive someone else's post, be mindful of the fine you could be hit with for your curiosity!
Joe Yates