Individuals sending mail and small companies are more likely to respond to this. Large companies rely on the National Change of Address database for address updates.
Leave a more precise note if the first one you placed inside your mailbox does not seem to be effective. You can write “No Other Tenants Besides [Your Name]” on a sticky note in your mailbox or on your door. The mail carrier might see the previous resident’s name on mail and know not to place that mail in your box. A visual reminder can be a strong one.
Marking out the barcode will cause the system to register the mail as “undeliverable. " Mail carriers receive mail in bundles for each individual address. The previous resident’s mail could be in between pieces of mail that are actually for you.
Speaking with your mail carrier in person may encourage them to look into the matter and check and see if a change of address has been filed. When you go to the post office, ask to speak to the station manager and tell them your problem.
You can serve up to 5 years in prison or pay a hefty fine for opening someone else’s mail in some countries. Opening someone else’s mail is considered theft. [5] X Research source
If you always throw the mail away, the sender may never find out that the person no longer lives at that address. Keep in mind that the person may have filed a change of address and there has been a mistake. The person likely still wants their mail. Be courteous and help the person out.
Filing the form on behalf of the resident is a Federal crime. You could be fined or go to prison. If you file the change of address for the other person, a Customer Notification Letter will be sent to their new address. [8] X Research source This could get you in a lot of trouble.
This may not stop you from receiving junk mail addressed to them completely, but it should cut down on the amount. You will need to enter the deceased person’s name, their address, your name, email address, and relationship to the deceased person. [10] X Research source
If this does not work, make a visit to the post office to speak with the station manager. Take the deceased person’s mail to the post office with you. The post office may be able to forward the mail to a new address or to the deceased person’s estate.
Registering the person through the Direct Marketing Association will not stop magazine and subscription services from sending mail. Only companies that use marketing and mailing lists will receive the notification. Opening and reading a deceased person’s mail is still a crime.
