Should I call the Police? (This is a mail fraud type issue)

[bleedingheart]

I have lived at my home for over 10 years.

We bought it from a man whose mother had just died.

That man disappeared from the earth...

However that man had a brother who keeps using our address for all his mail.

I find out yesterday that this guy is trying to use our address as his forwarding address and is trying to go about setting up a change of address using our address...

HE DOESN'T LIVE HERE!

My mailman is furious over this and has been going to bat for me...but I think that this has gone too far.

Who do I call?

I called the postal authorities years ago...and it would be resolved for a little bit and then crop up again...

This jerk is sending his medical bills to my house and his bank statements...this is insane.

[datasuspect]

1. postal inspectors

or the local postmaster

[AllegroRondo]

2. I agree, its a Federal matter.

until it gets settled, return each piece of mail with his name to the post office, with "return to sender; no such person at this address" written across it.

[bleedingheart]

3. I called them and they said that if the postage is paid...it must be delivered to the address

that I can write "return to sender"...

but I explained that my concern is that this joker is using my mailbox to get mail and he does not live here...

they said to call local authorities but until I have videotaped evidence that this ding dong is using my mailbox physically..I have no recourse...

They are of course monitoring the situation locally but I feel that this is really out of control...and 10 years of dealing off an on with this ass has my blood pressure up...

[AllegroRondo]

6. can you ask the post office to hold your mail?

and you pick it up from there personally?

that way you intercept anything he may be trying to receive. After a month or so of returning any mail addressed to him, any company he's doing business with should get pissed and stop.

it would be a big hassle for a while, but it would probably put an end to it.

another option would be to get a mailbox that you need a key to open, but that can be expensive and a hassle to replace.

[bleedingheart]

10. I have been fighting with this for 10 years and my current postman

is trying to help me out...

[Maddy McCall]

4. All you have to do is refuse the mail.

Write "INCORRECT ADDRESS, RETURN TO SENDER" on the front, and put it back in your mailbox.

Then report it to the postmaster at your local post office.

[bleedingheart]

9. I have done that for ten years

and now I find out he is trying to forward mail...

either to or from my home and according to them...I might not get mail and then I have to proceed after a crime has been committed.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Is he doing this by going to the post office...

and filling out forms to have mail forwarded to or from your address?

If so, you need to report this to the regional postal inspector.

[bleedingheart]

15. I just got off the phone with the regional post master

and he seemed rather shocked that I have been fighting this battle for 10 years..

and when I told him that my mailman informed me that a fowarding order was put in without my knowledge...that got his attention.

So....he is going to look into this...

and he is going to get back to me since this is a bit goofy.

As I told him...for 10 years it has gone on...but I have no way of knowing without setting up a camera whether this guy is using my mailbox..and he could very well be doing this since he has been doing this for so long...

I am just so tired of writing "return to sender" every time more mail shows up...

[Maddy McCall]

18. Good deal!

My dad was a rural mail carrier until he retired...through things that happened on my dad's mail route I learned, well, let's just say that when you get the regional bigwig involved, things tend to get solved.

:)

Keep us updated. :hi:

[Roon]

16. You don't even have to do that

just take a pen, make a line through the center of the street address and drop it back in the mailbox.

[SCantiGOP]

5. Is he stealing the mail

The PO can put in a locked mailbox.

[bleedingheart]

8. I have no idea if he is coming to my address to pick up mail

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Get a mailbox that only you can open with a key

An example
http://www.locking-mailboxes.com/?gclid=CLK_-YjO7YsCFQS4hgodNxI_PA
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/sports-imports_1945_107246744

Then, you will be able to take all his mail and write Return To Sender on each and every piece of mail that comes addressed to him. In fact, make up some stickers that add the claim that this person is falsely using your home address.

Get a wireless remote camera that will send images of anyone at your mailbox to either a video recorder or your computer, and hide it in a fake rock or flowers at your mailbox.

Also, since you get the med bills and bank statements, using the return addresses, maybe give a call to those places and let them know he does not reside there. Document your calls, including with whom you spoke, and make it clear he absolutely does not reside at your address.

I would probably, at the very least, contact an attorney to find out what more can be done, maybe including a restraining order to keep him off your property. That way if he shows up, you can call the cops on him. He IS trespassing on your property and has no legal right to touch your mailbox, much less place on foot on your property.

[bleedingheart]

11. do I have to give a key to the postal service to insert the mail?

[Maddy McCall]

13. If I recall correctly, no.

It opens the first time it's used that day (when the box is opened for mail to be put in), and then it locks when the mailman/woman closes it. Then you unlock it to retrieve your mail.

The big problem with this is that if the guy visits the mailbox before the mailman does, it will be locked when the mailman tries to deliver, and you won't get your mail that day.

This is just one kind of locking mailbox that I've seen...there certainly are others.

[bleedingheart]

17. I am going to talk to my hubby about it...and to be honest

if the mail man finds that he can't get in it consistently...then we know the guy is using our mailbox..

[Maddy McCall]

21. You know...

IIRC, it's a felony for someone to go into your mailbox and remove mail.

I'm glad to read above that this is being handled now by postal authorities...it never should have been your burden. Your postmaster must suck--ours does here. That's why it's good to go up the chain of command to get remedy.

Seriously, I want to know how this turns out...my dad was a mail carrier, and stories like yours always pique my interest.

:)

[bleedingheart]

23. I will let you know what I find out.

I am due for new mailbox so I might be getting a locked one for added security as well.

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. There are mailboxes that will always be accessible to the mailman

to deliver. Once the mail is in, it can only be taken out by opening the box with a key. And if something is delivered that is too big to go through the slot, you may have to go to the post office to retrieve it, but that seems like a small hassle compared to someone accessing your mailbox who has no right to do so.

Here's one from Target $89.99:
http://tinyurl.com/24kldg




Another one:
http://tinyurl.com/yvaotd





And here are quite a few to view:
http://www.nextag.com/locking-mailbox/search-html

[Maddy McCall]

19. Thanks for this, Nelly...

I really need to look into getting a better mail box...mine is on deserted stretch of highway, and since my driveway is about 3/4 mile long, I can't see it from my house.

Thanks! I didn't know that you could get boxes like that. I like the Target one. I think I'll pick it up tomorrow.

[Whoa_Nelly]

20. Be sure to check it out online re: Target

Some items are not in stores and can only be purchsed online

:hi:

[Maddy McCall]

22. I'll drive by a Target tomorrow...

If they don't have it in stock, I'll certainly look into ordering it.

Ah, the things you learn in the Lounge. :D Who'd a thunk that I'd also find a remedy to my mailbox problem? :bounce:

[AmyDeLune]

24. We got a "lock box" type mailbox a few years ago

it's a great stress relief knowing that no one can steal your mail and hi-jack your identity. Good luck!