What if my address is being used by someone else?

What to do with mail that is not yours but has your address?

Why would someone else use my address?

Phony businesses may use someone's address as a “warehouse” or as another business location in order to seem legitimate. Other perpetrators may use different addresses to enroll their children in better school districts, vote in different states, evade taxes, get lower insurance rates, or avoid bench warrants.

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.

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.

Can you be kicked out of a house where you get mail?

Simply just because you're getting mail somewhere, that doesn't give you any rights to live there, or squat there. It just may be evidence that you do live there, if there is a good faith dispute whether you do.

How do I block someone from using my address?

How do I remove someone 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.

Can I throw away mail that is not mine?

In a word, no. It is a federal crime to destroy, hide, open, or embezzle mail that is not intended for you. The official crime is obstruction of correspondence, which is a felony.

How do you remove someone from receiving mail at your address?

1) Talk to the Post Office

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 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.

How do I know if someone is using my name and address?

You can check for suspicious or fraudulent activity on your credit report — such as new accounts or lines of credit in your name or a sudden drop in your credit score.

What to do if someone keeps using your address?

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.

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.

Why am I getting mail for someone else at my address?

Clark says that getting someone else's mail could be the result of an innocent clerical mistake, but it could be something much more sinister: a scam called synthetic identity theft.

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}."

Am I obligated to return mail that isn't yours?

If you get mail that doesn't belong to you, then you should not open it. Don't throw it away, either. Instead, take the mail to the correct recipient or write “return to sender” on the package or letter. You can also return it to the post office directly.

Can I throw away previous tenant's mail?

Is it okay to open, tear, or throw away the mail of a previous renter? No, you must not read, shred, or discard a previous tenant's mail. Doing so can subject you to a penalty of up to five years in prison. You might also face a large fine for opening mail that's not intended for you as this is labeled as theft.

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

The first step in handling misdelivered mail is to clearly mark it as "Return to Sender." Grab a pen and write those exact words on the front of the envelope or package. This informs postal workers that the item went to the correct address, and they will send it back to the sender.

Can I let a homeless person use my address?

In many states the person becomes a legal resident if they can show they have received mail at an address for 30 days. He could move in to your apartment and you would not be able to remove him. If you tried to keep him out, police would be obligated to arrest or ticket you.

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.