Is opening Amazon packages not addressed to you illegal?

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.

Is it a crime to open someone else's Amazon package?

Unlike other types of theft, package theft involves the mail system. In the U.S. it is a federal crime to tamper with the mail. Stealing a porch package is considered mail theft and believe it or not, you can face either federal or state charges.

Is it illegal to keep a package wrongly delivered to you?

You have the legal right to keep it as a free gift, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Sellers aren't permitted to ask for payment for unordered items, either, and the FTC says consumers are under no obligation to even tell the seller about the wrongly delivered merchandise.

What to do if you accidentally open someone else's Amazon package?

if possible, reseal the envelope and personally deliver to the intended recipient with an apology, a neighbor for example. if a personal apology is not feasible, re-seal the mail and drop in a post box for re-delivery.

What to do if you open a package that isn't yours?

You can either seal the mail/package again and write “Return to Sender”, or if it is some of your neighbours, you can hand it in yourself and explain the mistake. By doing so, you are not doing anything illegal.

Amazon scam warning, beware of deliveries you didn't order

Is it illegal to open a package with someone else's name on it?

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.

Is it illegal to open a parcel addressed to someone else?

It is only an offence if you open someone else's mail 'without reasonable excuse' or if you 'intend to act to another's detriment'.

Can I open mail sent to my address but not addressed to me?

Yes, it is considered a crime to open mail that is not addressed to you, regardless of who it is addressed to. This is considered mail theft and is a violation of federal law, specifically the U.S. Code Title 18, Section 1708, which prohibits the theft or destruction of mail.

Can you open a package that has your address but not your name?

Can you open a package that has your address but not your name? No, you cannot. If it is addressed to somebody else with the wrong address (yours) but the correct name (theirs), it would be theft by conversion.

Can you keep Amazon packages wrongly delivered to your house?

Can I keep Amazon packages delivered to my house by mistake? Yes, you can! According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you aren't legally required to return merchandise that was sent to you by accident.

Can I keep a wrongly delivered parcel Amazon?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has rules that allow you to keep merchandise that's wrongly delivered — even if you didn't pay for it. The logic is that sellers can't just send you goods and demand money for them. You aren't even legally obligated to tell the seller that they've messed up the delivery.

Can I open a package that was delivered to me by mistake?

By law, you may keep the merchandise and consider it a gift. Of course, if the merchandise is delivered to you by mistake, instead of to the person named on the address, you cannot keep it. This seems to say that it comes down to whom it is addressed to. As long as the merchandise is addressed to you, you may keep it.

What to do if Amazon package was delivered to your address but not your name?

Report the unordered package to Amazon customer service at (888) 280-4331. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission online or by phone at (877) 382-4357.

How common is Amazon package theft?

Nearly 1 in 4 (23 percent) of our respondents say that they've had a package stolen in the three months leading up to March 2022, beating the previous peak in December 2020.

Does Amazon investigate stolen packages?

In most cases, the seller will investigate the missing package or send a new item. But if the seller doesn't respond within 24 hours, you can file a claim with Amazon.

Can I pick up a package without my name on it?

Can a customer have someone else pickup their held mail? If picking up mail for someone else, the customer needs written authorization (and their own photo ID).

What happens if you get someone else's package?

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.

What happens to packages with no name on it?

If you forgot to put the recipient's name on the package, there is a chance that the shipment will be sent back to the sender. Shipping to a house – The shipment may be delivered to the right person even if you forgot to put the recipient's name on the package or envelope.

What is the penalty for obstruction of correspondence?

Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs or retards the passage of the mail, or any carrier or conveyance carrying the mail, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

What if I accidentally opened my neighbors mail?

You will likely not be liable for accidentally opening the mail because intent is required to establish mail theft. If you do accidentally open mail that doesn't belong to you, the best option is to re-seal the mail and write "return it to sender" and put it back in the mailbox.

Can my wife open mail addressed to me?

Under the law, tampering with, hiding or opening mail addressed to someone else, even if to your spouse or ex-spouse, is a Federal crime.

Is it illegal to open a UPS package that isn't yours?

Intentionally opening, intercepting or hiding someone else's mail is the felony crime of mail theft. It comes with some heavyweight penalties, including five years' incarceration in a federal prison.”

Is it illegal to open a Fedex package addressed to someone else?

Yes. Federal law forbids the tampering opening or destruction of parcels or post by anyone it was not addressed to.

What is package Brushing?

“Brushing” is when a scammer finds a consumer's personal information and ships goods that they did not order. The fraudster then writes reviews in the recipient's name with the objective of falsely boosting the ratings or reputation of a company.

What happens if I keep a package to the wrong address?

Your shipment will be redirected to the original sender or held at the local Post Office for pickup.