Incorrectly addressed letters

sparkman

Hi - keeping this very generic as boards is understandably strict about this...

If someone receives a large envelope in the post and:

- Address is correct
- First name matches the occupant's first name but surname is different
- No address for the sender on the envelope
- Occupant opens the envelope in case it is actually meant for them
- A glance at the note on the 1st page indicates that the rest of the documents contain personal financial info and it is definitely not relating to the occupant

Was the opening of the letter in the above example an offence of some kind?

coylemj

sparkman wrote: »

Hi - keeping this very generic as boards is understandably strict about this...

If someone receives a large envelope in the post and:

- Address is correct
- First name matches the occupant's first name but surname is different
- No address for the sender on the envelope
- Occupant opens the envelope in case it is actually meant for them
- A glance at the note on the 1st page indicates that the rest of the documents contain personal financial info and it is definitely not relating to the occupant

Was the opening of the letter in the above example an offence of some kind?

Whether there is such an offence or not, it would be impossible to prove that the person who opened the envelope actually looked at the addressee data on the envelope before opening it so the chances of being convicted of anything is remote.

Unless the envleope contains somethng of value, I would shred it in your cirumstances i.e. if it's just a letter or statement, let the bank reissue the letter and nobody will be any the wiser. In cases like this, the person for whom the letter was intended is probably better of if they think the letter simply disappeared or was never posted in the first place.

Marcusm

Shredding it would presumably be an offence under the Postal and Telecommunications Acts. Innocent opening of the post is unlikely to be a problem. Either readdress it or return to sender. If questioned, make your point about innocent opening.

Tom Young

Jeez were all in free advice mode this evening.

Del2005

Identity theft?

I know it's not the householders identity but it could be someone using the householders address.

coylemj

Marcusm wrote: »

Shredding it would presumably be an offence under the Postal and Telecommunications Acts.

Only if he signs a confesion or they find the strips in his bin and sellotape the letter back together again to use as evidence.

Shredding it is the path of least resistance, no explaining to do and nobody is any the wiser.

Our man in Havana

Then burn the shredded papers.

Marcusm

coylemj wrote: »

Only if he signs a confesion or they find the strips in his bin and sellotape the letter back together again to use as evidence.

Shredding it is the path of least resistance, no explaining to do and nobody is any the wiser.

I think it would be an offence, there simply wouldn't be the requisite evidence to force a conviction. I guess I was subtly telling you not to suggest unlawful action contrary to the forum's charter. Given the repetition, perhaps I shouldn't have been so subtle.

sparkman

Sounds like the easiest would be to shred-and-forget but my conscience is telling me to read enough to find a return address, reseal the envelope and send it on it's way. Thanks a million!

Del2005

sparkman wrote: »

Sounds like the easiest would be to shred-and-forget but my conscience is telling me to read enough to find a return address, reseal the envelope and send it on it's way. Thanks a million!

You can hand it in at a post office/stick it into a letter box with "Not Known at This Address". An Post are legally allowed to open mail to find a return address.

amdublin

I'd think it's more of a data protection issue for the sender than a crime by the receiver.

coylemj

sparkman wrote: »

Sounds like the easiest would be to shred-and-forget but my conscience is telling me to read enough to find a return address, reseal the envelope and send it on it's way. Thanks a million!

Del2005 wrote: »

You can hand it in at a post office/stick it into a letter box with "Not Known at This Address". An Post are legally allowed to open mail to find a return address.

Read the OP's first post, there is no return address.

sparkman wrote: »

If someone receives a large envelope in the post and:

- Address is correct
- First name matches the occupant's first name but surname is different
- No address for the sender on the envelope

If he hands it back to An Post it will go nowhere, that's why I'm suggesting that he shreds it. He will be doing the intended addressee a favour by so doing because then nobody else will be able to read the letter.

There is no return address, the address on the envelope is the OP's address, what is An Post going to do with the letter?

My sister recently sent me a small package though the post, she made a small mistake in my address and immediately alerted An Post. She gave them my correct address and the address she put on the package, they haven't been able to find it even though she put the correct Dublin post code on the label so they should have been able to find it but didn't.

The OP's letter will go into the same black hole if he gives it back to An Post.