Is there some kind of law against opening letters that are not addressed to you?

katehughes2706

It is a criminal offence officially, but you wouldnt be taken seriously if you did report her to the police.

I used to have the same problem when I lived at home. the only solution is to just move out, or get your post sent to a friends address.

jamand

It is actually an offence to open mail not belonging to you - if the mail bears a name (addressee) then the mail is specifically for that person and to open it is an offence.

But, if you report it - it would be unlikely that any action would be taken - not classed as 'serious enough to warrant prosecution'.

Get your mail sent somewhere else or hire a P.O.Box - your mail can be sent there and you can collect when you like. Expensive way around the problem though.

Alternatively - start opening her mail and then see how she likes it.

Riley

Yes, there is

Alan P.

Before I answer this I have to say one thing:
Reading these results was a riot! Apparently, about half the population failed basic math - your name includes "85", based on that, you are 21-22 years old. My apologies for the others who missed the details.

ANYWAY - under U.S. code (Federal law) Title 18, part 1, chapter 83, sec. 1702:
"Whoever takes any letter, postal card, or package out of any post office or any authorized depository for mail matter... before it has been delivered to the person to whom it was directed, with design to obstruct the correspondence, or to pry into the business or secrets of another, or opens, secretes, embezzles, or destroys the same, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

More information is available at the bottom of this webpage:
http://www.usps.com/privacyoffice/intelligentmail.htm

Parents normally have good intentions, but I think this is just the tip of the iceberg for you. You're 21-22 years old and even if you have a wreckless history of any kind, your mom must know she is violating federal law and your civil rights, which the U.S. Code is based upon, wheather she owns the property where you are getting the mail or not. It is YOUR mail and is to be opened by YOU. If you lower yourself to her conduct, you are only adding to the problem of her pettiness and problematic behavior and opening yourself to possible prosecution under the code above.

Your solutions:
1.) Attempt to discuss the problem with her for a resolution,
2.) Get a P.O. Box and submit a change of address to your business providers, or
3.) Move out

I wish you the best.

a2wickedbad

well all said i think you should dish out some revenge...

Write yourself a severe looking official letter...

make out that debt agencies wanna reposses your house for gambling debts or something.. give her something juicy to read and sit back and laugh :o)

Rachel

of course there is. I would try to find the actual law - maybe by asking the police themselves - print it out and give it to the person opening your mail.
I personally think its terrible that she does this. Open her mail and find out all of her business then she might realise that its not on

rvca_va

Under United States It is against Federal Law to open someone's mail. Its a breach of your privacy.

vdv_desantnik

yes it is illegal and its the specific offence of interference with the royal mail. I had my mother doing just the same when I lived at home

odysseyhellas

sure there is ,, but sound not good for you to use it againest your mom ,,,

Garden by M

get a post office box or move out, children are not able to prosecute parents for opeing their mail

cantcu

It is a federal crime to open others mail! However, that doesn't apply to you if you are a minor. A parent has a right to open their childrens mail, unless they are an adult!

48Special

Yes there is a law against opening someone else's letters it's called Invasion of Privacy. Just tell her you don't appreciate her opening your mail and if she does it again then you will have to report her and have her fined. This might teach her a lesson. Otherwise if you can afford it buy a box# and then your mail will be dropped off in the box at the Post Office and you get your own key and you can just go there and get your mail and you'll be the only one who can pick up the mail.

wenchiepirategirl

Yes, actually there is in the United States. I'm unsure about the UK. Check online or with your local postal service. I would advise against turning your mom in for that though. Perhaps you could sit her down and tell her that you would appreciate her not opening your mail. Or be the first to get the mail when it arrives.

bcnu

Yes, as AlanP put it so eloquently, it is a U.S. federal offense. Your local post office may have forms for reporting it, and your local police might have no jurisdiction whatsoever. Because it is a federal crime anyone with actual knowlege of it has a legal obligation to report it to the authorities promptly, as failure to report a federal crime is itself a federal crime (misprision of felony).

Lyndsey G

Not only is it illegal, but it's a felony..... and RUDE!

Steve F

Yes there is.

But if you don't give the mail to them and just bin it, how do they know you've read their personal mail.

Read it and bin it

alphadeltahotel

To my knowledge, it is technically illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you by name. However, if your mother owns the house, you would probably not get anyone to side with you. Because it is her property, she probably has a legal right to know what kind of correspondence is coming in and out. It doesn't make it any less rude on her part, but I doubt that what she is doing would be tackled by law enforcement.

shhhhhhhhhh

If you are a minor there may be nothing you can do. I advise that you be glad that you even get your mail, so what if your mom knows what's inside. What's the worst she's gonna do, starve you and send you to your room? If she gets abusive, let the authorities know. If she's a friend in the form of your mother. let her read your mail. remember you're still getting it. cyoa

Hasan B

That's terrible! My religion (Islam) prohibits anyone from opening letters that are not addressed to him/her. Violation of privacy is considered a serious offence.

Just_gone

It is a federal offense. Since it is your mother, get a PO box and have your mail sent there.

Golden

yeah there is a federal law against stealing mail. note: mothers are exempt. until you're eighteen you have few rights; if your mom is your legal guardian she has a right to open the mail (just like a jailer).

just a normal girl

YES! I had the same problem with my mom. It's definatly illegal. I'm not sure of the exact law, I'd try googling that...but my bestfriend is a legal studies major and about to go to law school and I know for fact that it's illegal.

s. Mani

My brother occupied the property (house and land) of my father after my father's death. The land is having equal rights between my three brothers and three sisters (including me). I have been learned that my brother have one document (will of gift of properties) our father have given to him, which he registered after our father's death. He has taken possession of the house and property. The documents which he claims to have is fabricated and not willfully given by our father. I would like to know if I can have the right to get the share of my father's property from my brother. i would like to have the advice how can I get my share of my father's property.

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