Mail Question

[Sannum]

I recently moved into my apartment, and the person who lived here before me did not fill out a change of address form. That means I get my mail, as well as his. I am also getting very angry phone calls from collection agencies, and the envelopes are marked "FINAL NOTICE", which cannot be good. How do I stop getting this guys mail? I feel as if I am being harrassed. I am sick of opening my box to 5-6 bills that are not mine. It seems as if I am always writing "No longer at this address" and popping them back in the post, but it is not helping. Is there something I can do?

[wildeyed]

1. I dunno for sure, but try calling the post office, see what they can do.

Maybe if you tell them the guy doesn't live there anymore, they will just start sending the bills back automatically.

[unblock]

3. you COULD fill out a change of address form for the other guy

BUT be warned! not every post office is 100% perfect on separating mail to be forwarded and mail not to be forwarded....

[miss_kitty]

6. no you can't fill out a COA form for him. that is a federal offense

they don't like it when people change 'not their own' address

[unblock]

2. do you know the forwarding address?

if you do, forward the mail.

if not, the return to sender thing will probably take about 6 months to register. writing return to sender is a deadbeat ploy, so they'll keep sending a few times.

if you're desperate, you could contact the agencies based on the return address (do NOT open the mail, that's a federal crime) and explain the situation.

good luck!

[Sannum]

4. ...

I never open them...no, the guy did not leave a return address, I already checked. I think he was just a deadbeat judging by all of the unpaid bills he has.

Thanks!

[miss_kitty]

5. also how are they getting your phone number? reverse directory?

consider changing your phone # and having it unlisted and non published.
If you don't want to do that, be sure when these people call you get their name, company name and phone number. And a mailing address. Ask them how they got your # for that guy. Then tell them you don't know him and tell them never to call you again. Have a little notebook and pen by the phone. Waste the collector's time. They can get in big legal trouble for repeat calling.

Also leave a note for your mail carrier to no longer deliver that guy's mail to your address.

[sbj405]

7. You can fill out a forwarding request in absentia

Or so I read once upon a time. Fill out his info and then no forwarding address. You probably want to doublecheck at the PO or try searching their site.

I still get mail for a lady that moved out 6 years ago.