Every week, millions of letters and packages land in the wrong mailbox. In the United States alone, the USPS delivers roughly 129 billion pieces of mail per year, and even with a 99.8 % accuracy rate, that still means hundreds of millions of misdelivered items. For apartment dwellers, new homeowners, or anyone who has ever moved, finding mail that is not yours in your box is a daily reality. Most people just toss it in the trash or let it pile up, but that can cause real problems: identity theft, delayed important documents, or even legal trouble.
Doing the right thing takes 30 seconds and protects everyone involved. This 2025 guide covers exactly what to do with mail that is not yours in the US, UK, and most other countries, whether you’re in a house, apartment, or still getting letters for someone who moved out five years ago.
Why Misdelivered Mail Happens So Often
- Change-of-address forms expire after 12–18 months (USPS).
- Bulk mailers and magazines often ignore COAs completely.
- Apartment managers rarely update the official resident list with USPS.
- Hand-addressed mail relies on sometimes-illegible handwriting.
- New construction or renumbered streets confuse databases.
Result: In urban areas, 1 in 8 mailboxes regularly receives someone else’s mail (2024 USPS OIG report).
What NOT to Do (And Why It Can Get You in Trouble)
| Action | Why It’s a Bad Idea | Potential Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Throw it in the trash | First-Class Mail and packages are protected by federal law | Fines up to $250,000 or prison (18 U.S.C. § 1708) |
| Open it | Intentional opening of someone else’s mail is a felony | Criminal charges, even if “accidental” |
| Write “Return to Sender” on junk mail | Bulk mail (presorted standard) is not returnable | Wastes your time; mail keeps coming |
| Keep piling it on the counter | Identity thieves go through trash and abandoned mail | Victim blames you; you become a target |
Correct Steps: What to Do With Mail That Is Not Yours (2025 Rules)
1. First-Class Letters & Postcards (bills, personal letters, tax docs)
- Cross out your address bar code (the bottom row of bars)
- Write “Not at this address” or “Return to Sender” in large letters
- Drop it back in any mailbox or hand to your carrier USPS will return it to the sender at no charge.
2. Packages (USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon)
Never write on the package itself.
- Hand it to your carrier, or
- Take it to the post office/counter and say “Wrong address – refuse delivery”
- Or schedule a free USPS pickup online.
3. Presorted Standard / Junk Mail (flyers, catalogs, political mail)
- Write “Not at this address – Return to Sender”
- OR simply put it in an outgoing mail slot Most bulk mail will stop within 60–90 days once databases update.
4. Mail for Previous Residents (The Never-Ending Battle)
| Situation | Best Permanent Fix |
|---|---|
| Less than 12 months since move | Write “Return to Sender – Moved” every single time |
| More than 18 months | Fill out PS Form 3578 online (Mover’s Guide) + notify apartment management |
| Still receiving after 2 years | File an official complaint at usps.com → “Receiving Unwanted Mail” |
| Magazines | Contact publisher directly; use catalogchoice.org (free) |
- Never place someone else’s mail in another resident’s box (that’s a federal offense).
- Leave it in the “Outgoing” or “Misdelivered” tray if your building has one.
- Tell management to update the official USPS resident list (they often forget).
What to Do With Mail That Is Not Yours – USPS Official Policy (2025)
| Mail Type | Correct Action | How Long Until It Stops? |
|---|---|---|
| First Class / Priority | “Return to Sender – Not at this address” | 1–3 weeks |
| Packages | Refuse or hand back to carrier | Immediate |
| Standard/Presorted | “Not at this address” or trash after 90 days | 60–120 days |
| Certified / Registered | Refuse at door or return unopened | Immediate |
What to do with mail that is not yours UK (Royal Mail)
- Cross out address
- Write “Not known at this address – return to sender”
- Post back in any postbox (free) Persistent junk? Use the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) online.
Canada, Australia, EU – almost identical to UK rules.
Pro Tips Most People Never Use
- Buy a “NOT AT THIS ADDRESS” stamp ($12 on Etsy/Amazon) – saves 10 seconds per letter and works better than handwriting.
- Register the old resident at paperkarma.com or catalogchoice.org – stops 80 % of catalogs in one click.
- If you own the home, file a permanent Change of Address for the previous owner to a fake address (ethical gray area but 100 % effective).
- Take a photo of persistent misdelivered mail and file a case at emailus.usps.com – they actually investigate.
Is It Illegal to Throw Away Someone Else’s Mail?
Yes if it’s First-Class Mail or a package. Junk mail (no stamp, presorted) is technically okay to recycle after 90 days, but the safest legal route is always “Return to Sender.”
What to Do With Mail That Is Not Yours Reddit – Real-Life Wins
- u/MailNinja2024: Stamped every piece for six weeks → zero wrong mail after 2025 database refresh.
- u/ApartmentDweller88: Told leasing office to update USPS Form 3578 → mail for previous tenant dropped 95 % overnight.
- u/NewHomeOwner: Filed PS Form 3578 for previous owner → IRS and banks finally stopped.
FAQ – What to Do With Mail That Is Not Yours
1. What are you supposed to do with mail that isn’t yours?
Write “Not at this address – Return to Sender” and put it back in any mailbox. Never throw First-Class Mail in the trash.
2. What can I do if I keep getting someone else’s mail?
Consistently return it for 60–90 days + notify your apartment manager or file PS Form 3578 online.
3. What do I write on mail that is not mine?
“Not at this address – Return to Sender” or simply “Return to Sender”. Cross out the bar code first.
4. What do I do if I receive mail for someone who doesn’t live here?
Follow the steps above. For previous residents, it’s your legal duty to return First-Class Mail.
5. Is it illegal to throw away mail in your box that is someone else’s?
Yes, if it’s First-Class or a package. Junk mail is a gray area but still risky.
6. What to do with mail for previous resident?
Return everything First-Class. Use CatalogChoice or PaperKarma for magazines. After 18 months, file an official complaint.
7. How do I return mail to sender “no longer at address”?
Write “Return to Sender – No Longer at this Address” and drop in any mailbox. No stamp needed.
Final Word
Handling mail that is not yours correctly is a tiny act of civic kindness that keeps the entire postal system working. Spend 20 seconds returning it properly and you prevent identity theft, speed up address updates, and stop the endless cycle.
Next time a stranger’s bill shows up, grab a pen, write “Not at this address”, and toss it back in the outgoing slot. You’ll sleep better knowing you just saved someone a major headache and kept yourself out of legal hot water.
