New tenant opened my mail (which contained sensitive data)

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 3:46pm #1

Hi all,

Yesterday, I received an message on social media from a a new tenant in my former apartment who said they received a letter for me. I didn't think much of it. I thanked them for reaching out and asked them to drop it at the concierge so I could come and collect it.

I went to collect the letter today and the concierge seemed a bit uncomfortable. Then he said: "someone has opened the letter, but I was told you knew about it". I said that I knew about the fact that the letter was received at this address, but I was never advised it was opened by the current tenants. It should have never been opened as it is an offense to open someone's mail and in addition to this, this mail contains very sensitive financial data.

Needless to say, I am pretty annoyed. I had the reflex to block the card as soon as I realized the bank had sent it to the wrong address, but I am still annoyed at the tenant's initiative to open someone's mail then claiming I was aware it was opened. The poor concierge saw how annoyed I was as I just took the letter and left.

Now, I'm pretty sure I will not have any mail routed there as my address has finally been amended in the bank's systems, but I wonder if I should escalate this issue. Should this be escalated to their landlord or management company? I really don't want to let it slide.

Thanks.

irelandrover · 08-11-2021 3:52pm

How long ago was the letter sent? normally a new pin takes a few days in my experience.

I also open letters that are delivered to my house without checking the name. its happened that its a letter than was not me for. It wasn't done out of any spite, I just opened letters that were delivered to my house.

If it was me id let it go, make sure that my address is changed with all companies and wait for my new bank card. If they had any bad intentions i doubt that they would have gone out of their way to make sure that you got the new card.

Also id say if you do report them then you can be sure that any mail they receive for you in the future will going straight in the bin.

houseyhouse · 08-11-2021 3:53pm

Could it be a mistake? I can easily imagine opening a stack of letters without looking at the front of each one carefully. I can see why you’re annoyed but I don’t think there’s much you can really do about it. I don’t believe it’s illegal to accidentally open somebody else’s post when it comes to your house and it would be impossible to prove any ill intent.

JimmyVik · 08-11-2021 3:56pm

I have often opened letters that arrived at our house and then realized they were for a neighbor.

I also dug into a tesco shopping delivery that it turned out was for next door.

Easily done.

08-11-2021 3:58pm

Change the address on your bank account and move on with life.

It's not worth the hassle.

cruizer101 · 08-11-2021 3:58pm

I'd say it was just a mistake, if they wanted to scam you they could have just not told about it at all and kept the card

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 3:59pm

Apologies, but I have a hard time believing someone would open a letter without checking the name on the envelope. It's the first thing you see when you pull it out of the mailbox.

I did change my address with every single company / provider etr, but for some reason, the organization used a prior address.

The letter was mailed Oct. 8th from overseas. It takes about 10 days to make it to Ireland and the tenant contacted me yesterday.

I'd rather my mail go straight to the bin then have my privacy breached like this.

The Nal · 08-11-2021 3:59pm

Easily done. I ended up in my scratcher with a brasser before but turned out she was ordered for next door.

Let it go.

marieholmfan · 08-11-2021 4:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136764#Comment_118136764

What remedy do you imagine you can get?

Are you the owner of the apartment in question?

elperello · 08-11-2021 4:05pm

It is possible to open letters by mistake but the tenant didn't tell the OP that was what happened.

Furthermore the tenant misrepresented what happened to the concierge by saying the OP had been informed.

As for escalating it, if the card was not used it's probably going to be difficult to prove wrong doing.

Mrs OBumble · 08-11-2021 4:10pm

You couldn't be bothered getting a redirection set up with An Post.

And now you want to make someone's life difficult because they opened a letter which was delivered to their house ?

Karma is a bitch.

crossman47 · 08-11-2021 4:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136764#Comment_118136764

I've opened mail that wrongly came to my house. There were a few letters and I opened each. It was only then I realised one was not for me.

bucketybuck · 08-11-2021 4:14pm

The diabolical case of the man who nefariously opened a letter and then contacted the owner to make sure they knew about it...

At least its better than opening your mail, picking through it and then dumping it in the bin.

My 50 cent bet is that they did it by accident, and yes that does happen, even if you yourself could never see yourself doing it.

Even if they didn't, what exactly do you think can be done about it? A big fine for opening your mail despite the fact that you could not prove in court that it was them that opened it?

Charles Babbage · 08-11-2021 4:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136798#Comment_118136798

The tenant clearly contacted the OP, informing them that there was a letter. There was no misrepresentation, I expect the message did not say whether it was opened or not. Now you might think that the tenant should have provided that information, but he or she is not the OP's secretary.

Either tbe bank was at fault for not using the current address or the OP was at fault for not notifying them given that a new card was due.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 4:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136844#Comment_118136844

I can provide it since the concierge is the first one that noticed it. It was vehicled through a third party before reaching me.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 4:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136824#Comment_118136824

I think you don't know what Karma is LOL. Don't use new age terminology you don't understand big boy.

This has nothing to do with Karma.

Karma isn't punishing me because I did a redirection only for 6 months until I made sure all of my providers were advised of my new address. The fact that a provider used a prior address is not my fault in any way shape or form.

irelandrover · 08-11-2021 4:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136869#Comment_118136869

It was vehicled through a third party that you asked it to be vehicled through. What exactly do you want to happen?

The law is "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him." It would be very difficult to prove the tenant did that, since it was delivered to their house and they contacted you to make sure you got the letter.

08-11-2021 4:27pm

He opened it by mistake but felt guilty enough to at least try to get it into your hands. He told a little lie in the process. That's how I see it.

I'd have thrown it into the bin and saved myself the hassle.

This thread is a lesson why you should never help anyone.

08-11-2021 4:31pm

None of this happened.

cruizer101 · 08-11-2021 4:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136869#Comment_118136869

How do you know the concierge didn't open it? Its a he said she said situation.

I don't know what you hope to achieve

bucketybuck · 08-11-2021 4:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136869#Comment_118136869

You consider that proof?

I'm the tenant, I say that it was opened when I got it, how do you prove me wrong?

Or, I'm the tenant, and I say it was still closed when I gave it to the concierge, how do you prove me wrong?

Fact is that you have no proof, just a bunch of supposition.

And remember, the guy you want to call a dirty liar actually can prove something, he can prove that he went out of his way to help you.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 4:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136985#Comment_118136985

There are three people living in that apartment. It's a share occupied by brand new tenants. I'm not saying the guy who reach out is 100% the one who opened it. It could be one of the other two new tenants. He probably felt bad someone tossed it and decided to reach out. All I'm saying, someone living there opened it. It's 100% not the concierge as right after I moved out, a couple of my mails were dropped there and were intact when I picked them up.

Garibaldi? · 08-11-2021 4:50pm

if a letter is delivered to the wrong address anybody at that address could have opened it. That includes visitors. It could have been opened before it came through the letterbox in the first place,Obviously if a person receives a letter addressed to another they get it to the person as promptly as possible. However, the person might be away from home, and others may have been in the property, You can never say for cerain who opened your letter so it's best to forget about it. If mail is not registered this can happen.

.42. · 08-11-2021 4:57pm

Overreacting.

Flinty997 · 08-11-2021 5:00pm

I think you have no chance of proving it was opened deliberately.

But you could complain to the bank who sent it to the wrong address.

bucketybuck · 08-11-2021 5:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137006#Comment_118137006

That is not proof that the concierge did not open it.

Regardless, you admit that you cannot be sure that the tenant opened it which was the original point, and which begs the important question in all of this, just what do you think is going to happen here?

You cant prove anything, you can't do anything, thats pretty much all there is to it.

whippet · 08-11-2021 5:15pm

OP - what is the outcome that you want here?

Be realistic .... firstly you can't be sure who even opened it, secondly you'll have absolutely no way to prove who did (unless they admit it) and thirdly - it has nothing to do with the landlord, management company or anyone one else. It is between you and the person who opened it.

So ... just chalk it up to experience

08-11-2021 5:27pm

I wouldn't be blaming the tenant without any evidence. It could have been the concierge for all you know.

From what you said here I would be more suspicious of the concierge than the tenant. You said that he looked uncomfortable and it was his words that told the story of you being aware of it.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 5:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137084#Comment_118137084

I don't know why you particularly want to blame the concierge for this. I lived there for four years and not once was my mail opened even when dropped at the concierge.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137056#Comment_118137056

I've already done this.

How do I know it was the tenants:

The tenant specifically stated the name of the bank that sent the card when they messaged me. The name of the bank is nowhere on the envelope. How would they know a) it is coming from this specific bank b) it is a bank card? It could be any type of card if the bank name is nowhere on the envelope.

08-11-2021 5:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137176#Comment_118137176

The difference being you don't live there anymore.

Doop · 08-11-2021 5:30pm

There is nobody to escalate this to who will care...

Flinty997 · 08-11-2021 5:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137176#Comment_118137176

I said you don't know they did it deliberately, or can prove it.

The act says "intentionally". You should take professional legal advice if you intend to pursue it.

HalfAndHalf · 08-11-2021 5:44pm

So what I have gathered from a lot of rambling is that your bank in the U.K. sent you a new bank card, you’re saying your tenant opened this letter and you want to do something about it?

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

The Act says: "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him."

You'll be hard pushed to prove which of the tenants opened the letter or even that one of them did at all and even harder pushed proving it was done at a detriment to yourself.

I’d move on if I were you.

08-11-2021 5:46pm

Get over it OP, new tenants could have thrown it in the bin.

Zhane · 08-11-2021 6:13pm

OP, you’re allowed to be annoyed by this BUT it was more than likely an accident by the tenant. People are on auto pilot when doing mundane things like opening mail. Especially if they’ve moved in fairly recently, they’ll be getting a lot of mail from different suppliers/companies and just opening it one by one without looking. I’ve done it, and from the replies it’s fairly common. The consierge probably just didn’t want to say it was open so just say you were already aware. Also depending on the conversation between the consierge and the tenant, they coulda just said you were aware of the letter was there. Nothing about it being open.

Be annoyed, but there’s very little, if anything you can do about it. What is it that you’re looking for exactly?

Mitch Connor · 08-11-2021 6:19pm

the tenant would have been better off binning it then wasting their time reaching out to OP, who just seems determined now to gain justification for trying to make their life a living hell.

Flinty997 · 08-11-2021 6:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137279#Comment_118137279

Ironically thats more likely to be been seen as an offence, and easier to prove.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 6:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137382#Comment_118137382

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137267#Comment_118137267

If you're so literate, then please, let me know where I specifically stated that the bank is a UK bank? I said "overseas", not UK. You know that there are countries other than the UK and Ireland out there?

"Consierge"? Also, as I said, there are three people living there. It could have been any of them that decided to open it, not necessarily the person who reached out to me. It's not about making someone's life hell, but sure enough, no one would feel comfortable someone may have their bank details on file somewhere.

rocketspocket · 08-11-2021 6:36pm

You could contact the specialist police department for people who accidently open other people letters.. there are 100s in the 'Joy doing a 10 stretch for this very crime..

obi604 · 08-11-2021 6:40pm

I think this is one that needs to go straight to the special criminal court, non jury

you must love the aul dramatics

trashcan · 08-11-2021 6:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136798#Comment_118136798

This really. If it was a genuine mistake then you’d think the new tenant would have explained that he’d opened it without checking the name and apologise.

ForestFire · 08-11-2021 6:46pm

Maybe if the OP does a reconstruction of the events with his mates, using his phone (Better than most CCTV) and send it in to Sharon!!

She might do a slot for you on Crimecall, and if the 4 guys in the apartment crack under the pressure and rat the culprit out....

You might than get your breakthrough and justice on....

Tel: 1800 40 50 60

Freetext: 50123

Email: crimecall@garda.ie

08-11-2021 6:49pm

Completely Your own fault OP for not having Electronic statements setup or ensuring that your address is correct on any accounts that you own.

Your looking for someone to blame when it's 100% your own fault.

I wouldn't touch the inside letter, Gardai might want to dust it for fingerprints.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 6:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137589#Comment_118137589

I said it earlier and I will repeat it for the last time. My postal address was changed correctly and in due course. The failure came from the bank which issued the bank cards based on prior records. I rang the bank to raise a complaint over this. Separate issue, but the main cause for this whole situation.

If you're looking to make yourself feel better by bringing someone down without even reading the facts, then it's pretty sad.

TheWonderLlama · 08-11-2021 6:53pm

I think the person who opened the envelope was...Rebekah Vardy!

Time you got Wagatha Christie on to this. Bust the case wide open.

08-11-2021 6:54pm

This whole thing is convincing me to throw letters not addressed to me in the bin. Or return to sender.

B.A._Baracus · 08-11-2021 6:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137279#Comment_118137279

I was going to say the exact same.

Op, move on. Not worth the hassle and nothing will come about from it. It's the worst about renting and moving. Millions of people be in your boat each year moving then something private getting sent to the wrong address.

Yes, the bank is at fault. But I remember me dad talking about this issue when I was like 5. It's always happened and will always happen. If you still feel that you've been that wronged change banks.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 6:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137540#Comment_118137540

Exactly. Nowhere in the conversation did the tenant specify the letter was opened by mistake. I can understand that the letter may have been opened by mistake, but given the sensitive data, you'd think they'd apologize.

Besides, the tenant would have had no way of knowing who the sender was without opening the letter as the envelope was blank with no labels, yet when they contacted me, they clearly specified who the sender was. The only way to find out who the sender was was by opening the actual letter. The letter was sent 08.10.2021 and more than likely received 10 days later. Why was the letter sitting there for close to a month? If the letter was sitting there for such a long time, what makes me think no one else has accessed the sensitive data (visitors, this person's flatmates etc)?

By the way, the envelope was so wrinkled that it is crystal clear it was initially dropped into the bin (yet the letter is intact).

I'm used to receiving previous tenants' mail. I don't open any of them. I simply write a "not at this address - return to sender" on the envelope and drop it in a post box. That's the most appropriate thing to do regardless (not bin it or open it).

Ronan|Raven · 08-11-2021 7:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136880#Comment_118136880

I would have fucked your post in the bin if it was that long since you moved out. Be glad they contacted you.

GlobalSun · 08-11-2021 7:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137638#Comment_118137638

I'm actually not because it's a data breach hassle. I have preferred for the letter to be binned.

Besides, why are there only two options according to most of the simple minded posters out here - Bin it or reach out to the recipient? You know you can simply drop it in any post box and do a return to sender? Ever heard of that? It's not that complicated, the right thing to do for free and you're not breaching any law. Yeah, perhaps most of you on this forum have no conscience whatsoever. Hard to find decent people with a sane mind on here.

08-11-2021 7:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137600#Comment_118137600

What course of action are you looking to take about it?

If you feel so strongly about it go the gaurds and make an official statement and get laughed at.

Otherwise your just rambling on about nothing.

New tenant opened my mail (which contained sensitive data)

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