What to do if someone is using your address but doesn't live there?
Asked by: Larissa Brakus I | Last update: August 19, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (25 votes)
How can I stop someone from using my address?
Gather up the mail that is addressed to that business but at your address, line out the address with a note, ``Not at this address'', on each piece of mail and drop it in a mail box. He'll stop using that address real quick.
Can someone use my address if they don't live here?
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 [*].
What to do if someone is falsely using your address?
Report a scam or mail fraud with the USPIS
There's also a complaint hotline at 1-800-372-8347. Postal inspectors — the federal law enforcement and security arm of the USPS — investigates all complaints that they deem valid. Along with mail fraud, you can report identity theft and suspicious mail.
Why am I getting mail for someone who doesn't live at my address?
It's always possible that mail simply got misaddressed, but in those situations, it's often someone else nearby—especially if you live in an apartment building with similar unit numbers. The important thing to remember is that you'll rarely receive someone else's mail on purpose.
Return to Sender: How to Effectively Redirect Misdelivered Mail and Handle Unwanted Correspondence
How do I remove people from my mailing address?
Explain the problem either to your specific postal carrier or to a clerk or postmaster at your local post office. Ask them to stop delivering the previous resident's mail to your mailbox. Be pleasant about it.
How do I stop someone's mail from coming to my address?
Simply check the box marked “Refused” on the back of the delivery notice, sign your name by the “X” and place it back in your mailbox.
What if my address is being used by someone else?
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.
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.
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.
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 to find out if someone is using your address?
Stay On Top of Your Credit Report
One way to dive deeper is by checking your credit report. Your addresses, past and present, are often listed here. An unexpected address could indicate that someone is using your name along with another address for deceitful purposes.
Can I open someone else's mail sent to my address?
Absolutely do not open it. Even if your intentions are good, or you know the person the mail is addressed to, opening and reading another person's mail is a felony.
Can someone use your address if they don't live there?
Using someone's address without permission is illegal. If someone does this to you, you must take prompt and serious action. First, you need to determine if it's just a hunch or if someone is really misusing your address. Don't panic because there are simple ways to help you get out of this problem.
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.
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.
Why am I getting mail for someone else at my address?
Misdelivered mail or email can be the result of an innocent mistake. But before you trash it, shred it, or return to sender, take a closer look. It could be a sign that you're being scammed or targeted for identity theft.
Does your permanent address have to be where you live?
A permanent address goes beyond being just a physical location; it embodies a legal and societal identity. It is a fixed location where you reside for extended periods, unlike temporary or mailing addresses.
How do I get mail for someone who doesnt 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.
What can I do if someone is falsely using my address?
Call 1-877-876-2455. Visit www.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online.
What to do if someone is still using your address?
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. You should also report any mail fraud to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
How to find out if your name is being used by someone else?
- Review Your Credit Reports. It's a good habit to check your credit reports at least once a year. ...
- Check Your Bank Statements. ...
- Pay Attention to Strange Mail. ...
- Stay on Top of Your Tax Returns. ...
- Check Your Medical Statements. ...
- Review Your Social Security Statements.
Can you stop someone from using your mailing address?
– Contact the sender (if it's a legitimate company, institution, etc.) to notify them that your address is being misused by someone else. – If you suspect it's a case of address fraud, report the matter to the United States Postal Inspection Service or local law enforcement.
How do I stop other people's mail from coming to my address in Australia?
The easiest way to do this is to put "return to sender" and "person no longer at this address" on the envelope. Then post it back to us. Our system will pick up the address is wrong and it should stop future mail.
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.