Q: My homeowner is stealing my mail with a double address.
Help mehhhh
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
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- Answered
A:
Mail theft is a serious federal crime, regardless of the method used. If your landlord is deliberately using a duplicate address to intercept your mail, they are violating federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 1708, which carries penalties including fines and potential imprisonment.
Your immediate steps should include documenting every instance of missing mail and gathering evidence of the duplicate address setup. File a report with your local post office and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) through their website or by calling 1-877-876-2455. Consider installing a security camera if possible to capture any mail theft in action.
To protect your future mail, request a PO box at your local post office for sensitive documents. You might also want to sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, which emails you daily previews of incoming mail. Consider filing a complaint with your local housing authority and consulting with a tenant rights attorney, as this behavior likely violates state landlord-tenant laws as well. If you've experienced financial losses due to missing mail, keep detailed records for potential legal proceedings.
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