How can I stop someone using my address without my permission?

Asked by: Marilyne Runolfsdottir  |  Last update: May 14, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)

Steps to Stop Someone from Using Your Address
  1. Preview your mail. ...
  2. Return unopened packages. ...
  3. Refuse unwanted mail addressed to you. ...
  4. Alert companies that send you someone else's mail. ...
  5. Opt out of any bulk mailing lists. ...
  6. Apply for a Prohibitory Order against the sender (if applicable) ...
  7. Scrub your address from public sites.

How do I block someone from using my address?

If someone is using your address without your permission, and you're receiving post addressed to someone else, simply write 'not at this address' on the envelopes and post them back to the senders. You don't need to put new stamps on them. The senders should soon stop sending correspondence to your address.

What do you do if someone is using your address without permission?

A stolen address can result in financial or legal trouble, mail fraud, identity theft, and worse credit scores. If you believe someone is using your address to commit fraud, you should: Report it: Report the ID theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consider contacting your local police department.

Can someone use your address if they don't live there?

A resident temporarily living in a different state for school or work may want to forward mail to a domicile address. But someone who isn't the owner of a home or apartment must ask for permission. If permission is not requested and granted, that person is committing address fraud and maybe even mail fraud [*].

How do I report someone using my address?

Call 1-877-876-2455. Visit www.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online. To learn more about mail fraud or to report suspected fraud, visit the U.S. Postal Inspection Web site at www.uspis.gov.

How to Stop someone from Mirroring your Phone?

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How do I remove someone from using my address?

Steps to Stop Someone from Using Your Address
  1. Preview your mail. ...
  2. Return unopened packages. ...
  3. Refuse unwanted mail addressed to you. ...
  4. Alert companies that send you someone else's mail. ...
  5. Opt out of any bulk mailing lists. ...
  6. Apply for a Prohibitory Order against the sender (if applicable) ...
  7. Scrub your address from public sites.

Why am I getting mail with someone else's name at my address?

More ominously, a letter that comes to your address in someone else's name may also be a sign you're caught up in synthetic identity theft—a type of identity theft in which a thief mixes real and fake information to create fake identities.

How do I get mail for someone who does not live at my address?

If the mailpiece is delivered to the correct location but the recipient on the mailpiece does not reside at the address: Write "Not at this address" on mailpiece. Provide the mailpiece to your mailperson or drop into a Collection Box receptacle.

Is it illegal to give out someone's address without their permission?

While it may not be wise to give out someone's address, it is not illegal to do so. If for example, you gave out someone's address to a person intent on causing harm to that person, and they then cause harm to that person, you could theoretically become embroiled in civil and even criminal proceedings.

Can two houses have the same address?

It isn't uncommon for a community of townhomes or condos on same street to share same address with different unit numbers. The shared parking may be an underground garage.

What is it called when someone uses your address illegally?

Address fraud is a type of fraud in which the perpetrator uses an inaccurate or fictitious address to steal money or other benefit, or to hide from authorities. The crime may involve stating one's address as a place where s/he never lived, or continuing to use a previous address where one no longer lives as one's own.

How do I stop other people's mail from coming to my house?

Additionally, you can also talk to your USPS worker directly. Another way to curtail the delivery of old owners' mail to your home is by clearly labeling your mailbox with the current occupants' names on it so that your mail person knows who should be receiving mail at this address.

Why is my name associated with an address I never lived at?

Identity Theft

For instance, if the address being reported as yours is totally different from where you have ever lived (or is a P.O. box), this inaccuracy could be a sign that someone else has stolen your identity, especially if current credit activity is reported with that address.

How do I stop people from getting my address?

How do I keep my address private? You can keep your address private on websites like Whitepages by sending a request to remove it. To avoid it leaking online, you can use a VPN on your computer or mobile, keep your social media account private, and block third-party cookies.

How do I block someone from mailing me?

On your computer, open Gmail. Open the message from the sender. Click Block "{sender}" or Unblock "{sender}."

How do I make my residential address private?

Want To Keep Your Home Address Private? Here's How
  1. Ask around in your network. It's likely someone in your personal or professional circle has faced privacy issues when buying a home. ...
  2. Erase your home's internet history. ...
  3. Hide a real estate purchase using a trust. ...
  4. Hide a real estate purchase with an LLC. ...
  5. Contact an attorney.

What to do if someone is falsely using your address?

Report Address Fraud

If you suspect you're a victim of identity theft or another form of fraud, immediately report it to the FTC. The complaint can be lodged online at ftc.gov or via phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

How do you remove someone from your mailing address?

Gather up the mail and take it to your post office. Ask to speak to a supervisor. Tell them the person doesn't live at the location. If you get any mail, mark it return to sender.

Is it illegal to change someone's address without their permission?

A person submitting a false change of address form may be imprisoned for up to five years, or more in certain instances, plus subjected to a fine up to $250,000. The charges may be obstruction or mail, theft or mail, and/or making a false statement.

What to do with mail with your address but someone else's name?

To resolve the situation: Mark “RETURN TO SENDER.” This instructs the mail carrier to return the mail to whoever sent it. You can also write “NOT AT THIS ADDRESS,” to let the sender know that the recipient has moved.

How do you stop mail for someone who doesn't live here?

The most effective way to stop receiving mail for previous residents or strangers is to talk to your local Post Office. Most of the time, you'll be able to quickly resolve any issues by listing your household members as the only people who should receive mail at your address.

Can I open someone else's mail if it comes to my address?

The short answer is "yes." Opening or destroying mail that is addressed to someone else is a crime called "Obstruction of Correspondence." It is a serious felony that could lead to prison time. It is remarkably easy to find yourself charged with this crime, even if you didn't mean to do anything wrong.

How do I get mail for someone who doesnt live at my address?

If you're receiving mail for someone who no longer lives at the address, write "not at this address" on a note attached to the misdirected mail. If the problem persists, contact the post office on the phone or in person and alert them to the situation.

Can someone use your address as a mailing address?

So, if you want to use someone's address or vice versa, you must request permission. Even if it is someone close to you, don't neglect the importance of asking for permission. You cannot simply assume they will be okay with it. If you're so sure they won't mind, then asking won't hurt at all.

How do you stop other people's mail from coming to your house?

Using the Postal Service to Stop Mail
  1. Write "Not at this address" on the exterior of the envelope. (This works only for first class mail.) ...
  2. Place a sticky note on or in your mailbox. Write on the note, "(Former Resident's Name) does not live at this address". ...
  3. Cross out the barcode. ...
  4. Approach your mail carrier directly.