What happens when someone is caught stealing mail?

And mail theft is extremely serious. Because the post is handled by the federal government, mail theft cases can be heard in federal courts; stealing mail can get a person up to five years in jail.

What happens to someone who steals mail?

Because the United States Postal Service is a federal agency, mail theft is considered a federal crime. According to the United States Code 18 Section 1708, federal mail theft is a felony. Being charged with stealing mail could land you in federal prison for up to five years and cause you to pay a fine up to $250,000.

How long is a sentence for mail theft?

Mail theft under California Penal Code Section 530.5(e) PC is a misdemeanor offense that is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 court fine. A variety of other conditions of probation may additionally be imposed by the sentencing judge.

Is stealing people's mail illegal?

Penalty for Stealing Mail

Mail theft is a serious crime; although it's considered a lesser offense than mail fraud. A mail fraud conviction can result in a prison term of up to 30 years. In contrast, under federal law, mail theft is penalized by up to 5 years of imprisonment.

What is the penalty for opening other people's mail?

Intentionally Opening Someone's Mail

You could be looking at charges of mail theft or “obstruction of correspondence” if you're caught doing any of these things. Both crimes carry fines of up to $250,000 and five years in a federal prison.

Package Thief caught on Camera by the Ring.

Is opening someone else's mail a felony?

Is it illegal to open somebody else's mail? The Postal Services Act 2000 clearly states that it is certainly illegal to open someone's post, or delay it reaching the owner.

Is taking mail a federal offense?

The United States Postal Service is a federal agency. Because of that, the law categorizes mail theft as a federal offense. Even though it is a “light” crime, any federal offense may result in time in a federal prison.

What are postal crimes?

Investigating Postal Crimes

These crimes include mail theft, mail fraud, financial fraud, identity theft, robberies and burglaries of postal facilities, assaults and threats on postal employees, investigations of dangerous and prohibited mails, narcotics, cybercrime and much more.

What is a mail crime?

A person commits mail fraud when he engages in a scheme to defraud, with intent to defraud, and uses the mails in furtherance of that scheme. A scheme to defraud means depriving someone of property by deceitful or dishonest means.

Is interfering with the US mail a felony?

There are federal laws against tampering or stealing other people's mail in the United States. This means that mail tampering is considered a felony that can have serious consequences. If you think someone is stealing or opening your mail, you should not hesitate to start pursuing legal help and protection.

Does USPS prosecute?

During the first ten months of FY 2020 the government reported that 1,200 new criminal prosecutions were filed from investigations led by the Postal Inspection Service[1]. If these prosecutions continue at the same pace, the annual total of prosecutions will be 1,440 for this fiscal year.

What happens when package is intercepted?

If successfully intercepted, the non-refundable Package Intercept fee is applied to each intercept request. Retail and commercial customers can also purchase additional services for the intercepted package, like Adult Signature Required, Adult Signature Restricted Delivery, Signature Confirmation^™, and insurance.

Who investigates mail tampering?

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigates: Mail Theft.

What qualifies as mail tampering?

Definition of Tampering

Theft, destruction and defacement of a piece of mail – a letter, postal card, package, box or bag – from a private mailbox, collection box, postal worker or mail truck is classified as mail tampering.

Can I open my ex husband's mail?

If you open mail addressed only to your spouse or to your ex-spouse, your actions could have serious consequences. 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.

Can you open mail addressed to your house but not your name?

A federal statute known as 18 USC Section 1702 makes it illegal to open correspondence addressed to someone else. However, the law cannot be applied if you did not recognize that the mail was not yours when you opened it.

What do I do with mail that is not mine?

What do you write on mail that isn't yours? Cross out the barcode and write “Not at this Address: Return to Sender.” You can also just cross out the barcode and write “Return to Sender.”

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

As long as the merchandise is addressed to you, you may keep it. If it is addressed to someone else, then you are obligated to make reasonable efforts to either return it or deliver it to the intended recipient.

How do I report someone using my mailing 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.

What happens if USPS finds drugs in a package?

Once the package is 'seized', it may be examined by a drug dog, and a warrant will be issued to open the package should the dog alert for the presence of drugs (typically, the post office will line up 6 packages, five which they know do not contain drugs, and the suspected package).

Does USPS scan packages for drugs?

Postal inspectors can screen packages to check for drugs like marijuana and other substances. Some people may attempt to send drugs through the mail because they believe the Fourth Amendment protects them from having their packages searched.

What does it mean when mail is intercepted?

Postal interception is the act of retrieving another person's mail for the purpose of either ensuring that the mail is not delivered to the recipient, or to spy on them.

How does USPS return to sender?

With return to sender, a mail carrier will pick up the mail item, whether it's delivered to the wrong address or person or rejected, and send it back to the sender.

Does USPS actually investigate?

We Do!

As a federal law enforcement organization with almost 250 years of experience, our Inspectors investigate every aspect of mail-related crime--including mail theft, mail fraud, and mail containing dangerous items or substances.

Will USPS tracking says seized by law enforcement?

Once the postal inspector receives the suspected mail, they will attempt to contact the sender or recipient and, if unsuccessful, scan it as “seized by law enforcement.” The scan is visible in the Postal Service's tracking system to the sender and recipient as well as postal personnel.