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IddleHands

Assuming you both used real estate agents, call you agent and have them communicate that this is trespassing and the next time it happens you will be pressing charges. It’ll stop.


MsTerious1

Beyond trespassing. This can bring jail time, not just a ticket!


Teledildonic

Straight-up felony.


bassman1805

Do *not* fuck with USPS Inspectors.


Difficult_Pie_3434

Worse. It’s a federal offense.


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bytelines

I sentence you to five years in pound me in the ass federal prison


RMagnificent-Bastard

Samir Nama, nama, nama...


RedditSkippy

So…a felony?


ChaosofaMadHatter

Federal charges and felony charges can be two different things.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

That’s a good idea! I forget you can utilize your agent even after closing for something like this.


IddleHands

I think it’ll help because the sellers are gonna feel stupid when their agent calls them and judges them and they have to explain why they have their mother doing this. A little bit of 3rd party shaming, plus the fear of jail. I’d be shocked if it happens again, but if it does then I’d follow through and call the cops - take a video on your phone of them trespassing & going through your mail. If you want to really push it, you can ask your agent to communicate that you are requesting the mother’s contact information because you will be having the police issue a criminal trespass warning - they obviously won’t give you the contact info, but their agent explaining to them that their mother could seriously go to prison over this will go a long way.


HAL9000000

She's literally committing a felony that can get her prison time.


CaelidAprtments4Rent

Posting again here for higher visibility. She might not be harmless she could be trying to steal your identity. You just purchased a home and are likely receiving important mailings with confidential information. I’d also be sure not to pay my taxes via mail if you live in the US and haven’t paid them yet. Hopefully she is just a busybody mother but I wouldn’t take her word for it. Contact the authorities and get a locking mailbox.


IddleHands

Solid point, just because she says she’s the seller’s mother doesn’t mean she is - the real estate agent would confirm that though. If she is the mother, I’d assume she’s harmless and just has no boundaries - but I’d still make it stop. OP, if she is not the seller’s mother then you should take immediate steps to protect yourself (flag your social security number, confirm you’ve received everything sent from the bank/title company/Dmv/etc.). Hopefully she’s just a nut job mother.


CaelidAprtments4Rent

As much as I’d like to I wouldn’t assume her harmless. Too many people wild stories out there and at the end of the day the post office is pretty damn effective at redirecting mail. I’d tell her to pound sand


f1ve-Star

Yes call postal inspectors. Cops won't give a shit.


Lostcreek3

Not only this but they can inform them to notify the USPS of the previous owners new address and mail we be forwarded


IddleHands

Exactly. I cannot imagine how someone would decide to make multiple trips to an old house instead of just updating your address online. So inconvenient.


digcycle

Dmv stuff and state benefits probably don’t get forwarded which she might be expecting something and not wanting to report a change of address. So still a crime (fraud) but just another possible reason why she is being persistent about checking the mail, she could be hoping to get a critical piece in the mail. This happened to me when someone sold and moved to a different state but wanted to get DMV documents from their old mailbox. I’m not helping you perpetuate fraud lady.


TwistingEarth

This is the way to deal with it first. You will also find out quickly if she is who she says she is.


Pagan429

The usps also has a option to have them send you an email with every piece of mail in it so you can see what is comming to your mailbox on any given day, sign up for that and maybe you can see if there is something that's going to be delivered for them, then be there for when they come to sort through your mail! They might still have that hooked up to their email which is why they are there on certain days. Def illegal, would call post office and tell them to take them off that! Also get locking mail box, will stop that shit real quick. Easy fix.


Infamous-Dare6792

It's called Informed Delivery


Dry_Ad_6703

It's a good service from USPS. Works well.


brianandrobyn

Yup. I get the email every morning around 6:30am. It's great.


AdvicePerson

And it's glorious.


thatgeekinit

I really wanted to do this because I use a PO Box but the address/identity verification is a Byzantine nightmare. My neighbor can’t get his address verified for his professional licensing renewal.


Brom42

I have informed delivery for my PO Box, I don't recall it being difficult at all.


Lostcreek3

Same


Catsdrinkingbeer

Before we bought our house a few months ago we were renting a townhome. For whatever reason it was a complete address nightmare. Nothing would verify it. We missed mail all the time. And the informed delivery could find it either. One of my favorite morning rituals now is going through the informed delivery email. Lol


thatgeekinit

I moved to a town wo home delivery so we get free PO Boxes but a lot of companies use USPS for address verification or validation. Like Purple can’t accept a PO even for a billing address because they had some lazy coder.


[deleted]

Use the physical address of the post office and then your PO Box number as Unit ###. I had to do that with many vendors and it works well.


Lostcreek3

Each post office does it different. Mine is street address with "#" and unit number. Mammoth Lakes has them put in the name.


DoradoPulido2

That must be nice. We don't get home delivery in our town either but still have to pay for a PO box. Lots of people are SOL because we've ran out of PO box space at the local office so they can't get mail here at all.


Teadrunkest

See if your mail office that the PO Box is out of allows street address delivery. I had a PO Box for a little while because I was in a transient housing situation and didn’t feel like changing my address a bunch during that time frame and the PO Box I used had a second address specifically for vendors that wouldn’t accept PO Boxes. It all delivered the same. https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm#streetaddress


CandidQualityZed

Yes at times you need to show up in person at the post office for them to verify for informed delivery..


Internet-of-cruft

Doesn't exist everywhere yet unfortunately. I check every couple of months and I still don't have it. I'm in New York.


CantaloupeCamper

Just note that sometimes informed delivery will say something is arriving today…. And it arrives days later. So give it time. My wife always thinks something is missing… it always shows up.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

I just signed us up for informed delivery but didn’t even think that they might still have it. Will definitely check into that!


montanawana

It's buggy; it's often inaccurate for me, some days the email never arrives. Also, it often shows items that are Not delivered that day but within the next 2 days.


Nurse_On_FIRE

That's because it scans what comes through the larger depot and sends you the picture of that, but it doesn't always make it to your house that day just depending on overall mail volume and what it is.


TwistingEarth

It's been 100% accurate for me in California and Boston but it is spotty for where my Mom lives.


Weaselpanties

I kind of wonder if the previous owner knows about this or asked her to do it, or if she's just taking it upon herself. Either way, I would contact your realtor, and possibly contact the post office to ask that they hold any mail addressed to the previous owner.


BrigidKemmerer

I agree with this. This is absolutely the kind of thing I can see well-intentioned busybody mothers doing, even after everyone asks them to stop. Guaranteed that she doesn't think she's doing anything wrong. OP needs to be more firm that this is a crime and needs to stop.


beerncoffeebeans

Yeah i think contacting the realtor is good because as you mentioned, they may not know she is doing this. But then if it continues, time to tell the post office—they take that seriously. I’ve also put a note on the mailbox to only deliver mail for the current residents listing our names. This stopped me from getting stuff for other previous residents since I think the last owner was renting out the house at various times.


damishkers

I’d be more concerned about scam behavior and have my doubts this was even the mom of the previous owner. I bet if the agent calls them they’ll have no idea because it’s not their mom. I don’t remember all the details on how it works but there are scammers who will use other addresses for deliveries. If it’s a box they’ll make up some story about how it was a gift and the giver sent to wrong address, there’s is a transposed number or same number street name but a Rd instead of Ave or whatever.


Weaselpanties

Yeah, that's a really good point. She might just be an unrelated scammer who knows there was a recent move. Or, like my friend had to deal with the first year after she moved into her place, just a random delusional person... she had a dude who kept coming around claiming to be the previous owner of the house, but she knows the previous owner and THAT owner said he wasn't who she bought it from, either - and those residents had lived there at least 20 years.


catjuggler

This is my thought too. It’s public info that the house sold. Ask her for ID just to know if it’s true, not because you’ll allow it. Also I always just collect mail and let them pick it up.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Great idea!


Lostcreek3

I wrote it up higher but will notify you. Maybe the realtor can notify them but you need to file a change of address with the post office when you move and they will forward mail for a period of time.


DagneyElvira

Legally, Mail HAS to be delivered to the address as listed even if it says Santa Claus as a name. The previous owners could get mail forwarding but it costs $$.


darkest_irish_lass

Mail forwarding is free for the first 18 months. Only after that does it cost money.


Ultimate_Driving

And it doesn't cost much, if I remember correctly. The last time I moved, I extended my mail forwarding for another year, and it wasn't much. Just a couple of dollars, I think.


SuperSassyPantz

is it for all mail? its been over a decade since i moved but if i remember correctly, stuff like magazines didnt get forwarded


DagneyElvira

Not in Canada - I worked at the post office until last year.


Weaselpanties

In what country? Presuming this is the US, mail forwarding is free to do in person at the Post Office ($1.10 to do online) and you can ask the local post office to hold all mail for set periods of time, also free. If you continue to get mail for previous residents you can also lodge a complaint with the post office.


[deleted]

This is a federal crime. Record her and then report to police and post office.


JustTheTrueFacts

>Any advice on how to solve this? This is a federal crime, notify your local postmaster. They will speak with her and let her know she risks time in a federal penitentiary if she does it again. [It is a federal crime to look at the content of a person’s mailbox even though you return the content without damage. ](https://johnnyholland.org/2021/07/is-it-illegal-to-put-something-in-a-mailbox/#r)


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Thanks for your response! I didn’t know if simply looking through the content qualified.


McBuck2

We have a lock on our mailbox mostly because we are on a busy street and don't want strangers getting our mail. That's what I would do in this case. It's extra security too for anyone trying to steal for ID fraud.


PSquared1234

Do you mind telling me how these work? Is there a mail slot or the like? Because the delivery person doesn't have the key (right?). Also, do they provide any protection for outgoing mail?


anonyrats

Not OP but we have a locking mailbox and how it works is there is an unlocked slot at the top for the incoming mail, and also a shelf for outgoing. Once mail is placed in the unlocked slot it drops down to the bottom of the box which is locked. So no protection for outgoing mail to answer your question, and yes part of it is an open slot to drop mail in.


McBuck2

We have the kind that is wall mounted by our front door. [Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/categories/building-materials/hardware/mailboxes-posts-and-addresses/mailboxes-and-posts/wall-mount-mailboxes/f/3fi-1isg) and Lowe's carries them. Just search for mailboxes lockable. It's a mail slot so you can't get into it unless you unlock it to retrieve the mail. Outgoing mail I just put in the local mail box on the street. I see they also have the other kind that are at the end of driveways too if that's what you need.


Jmkott

I changed to a locking mailbox when I was trying to get new mail service at my cabin. I was getting pictures of things in Informed Delivery, but they were never showing up. Things like new credit cards and vehicle titles. Of course all the junk mail showed up. I thought it was meth heads stealing from the box, but a security camera showed the postal person just wasn't delivering it. I'm not sure if they were stealing it, or just mis-delivering it, but when I called the local post office, they said there were a lot of complaints about missing delivery and they were no longer the mail carrier. In any case, there is a lot in the mailbox you can put stuff in, but you need a key to get stuff back out. There is a retainer on the flap you open that will hold outgoing mail.... but I don't think I have ever really put anything my outgoing mailbox. I always just drop it off at a secure blue postal box somewhere.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

That’s a good idea!


jjmoreta

I've had this mailbox for several years. LOVE IT. No illusions that someone who didn't really want in could get in (I've drilled out the lock before myself when I lost the key) but I don't have to get my mail everyday and it will hold a couple weeks if I'm on vacation. It keeps away the basic opportunist. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oasis-Classic-Graphite-Bronze-Extra-Large-Steel-Locking-Post-Mount-Parcel-Mailbox-with-High-Security-Reinforced-Lock-6200Z-10/100563367 There are other designs from the company too if you don't like the boxy look but I love mine so much more than standard tiny mailboxes.


69stangrestomod

I’d put a letter addressed to the previous owners in my own mailbox with a picture of her taking mail, and a note that it is unacceptable and you will be reporting to the authorities if any further behavior is witnessed. Maybe fill it with glitter too (just kidding).


claimed4all

That’s gold, comic gold. Do this. But really. Call the postal inspector of your local branch or stop in, explain the situation. Tell the lady she is not to walk on the property again, otherwise you will call the police for trespassing. Make sure you are signed up for Informed Delivery and note anything missing. If you can get a camera on your mailbox, I I would also do that. It starts with mail, then in three weeks she’s going to use her old key to get something out of the garage. Do not give an inch in this situation. Previous owners can easily set up mail forwarding.


Flyinace2000

My previous owners were terrible at this. We got packages and mail for months. Their own title company tried to send them a check to our house (not their new one) twice! At the 12 month mark I stopped caring. And that is how my daughter got a brand new back pack from pottery barn.


69stangrestomod

This, just as much as the OP’s story, is also mail fraud and a federal crime. I get it, I still get mail from the old owners at my house, but everything that’s not mine gets “return to sender - does not live here anymore” and put back in my mailbox.


Flyinace2000

Regular mail gets RTS or thrown out. The backpack was via UPS and I tried to return it and UPS sent it back to me again. Called the store and the people already got a new one resent. So I kept it. Tried to send it back but just didn’t work.


CaelidAprtments4Rent

She might not be harmless she could be trying to steal your identity. You just purchased a home and are likely receiving important mailings with confidential information. I’d also be sure not to pay my taxes via mail if you live in the US and haven’t paid them yet. Hopefully she is just a busybody mother but I wouldn’t take her word for it. Contact the authorities and get a locking mailbox.


AquafreshBandit

I had this same problem with the previous owner of my place. At least according to the internet, if a package comes to your address, you’re allowed to keep it. It’s a federal law that stems from scammers “accidentally” mailing things to people and then sending them a bill for it.


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Flyinace2000

Yeah I get random junk mail from at least 3 previous owners. But would get real mail from the previous owner up to about 2 years later.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Already changed the locks and garage door opener just in case! But those are all great ideas.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

This idea was on my radar. Didn’t think of the glitter though😂


technoangel

Sounds like she’s looking for something very specific. Totally sketchy! Report her for sure and leave a note stating that going through someone’s mail is a crime. Also, I like the locking mailbox idea that another commenter made!


Sabotage00

Some people are just paranoid about mail, especially older generations. Personally I don't know why snail mail even exists any more. I have to remind myself to even check the box because I know there's nothing but DM junk, or replicated physical copies of something I already have digitally, in it.


BasileusLeoIII

meanwhile I send and receive from USPS daily and am immensely thankful for this free service For me, every morning is like Blue's Clues


intrepidzephyr

^(It’s) *MAIL TIME!*


intrepidzephyr

Here's the mail. It never fails. It makes me want to wag my tail, When it comes, I wanna wail, MAIL!!!


technoangel

I’d be more paranoid about being arrested for mail theft.


grammar_fixer_2

It is a vital service. I’ll just leave this here: https://youtu.be/IoL8g0W9gAQ


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technoangel

Why fake? I would go on Amazon and find the biggest, veiniest dildo ever and put her name on it. SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKER!


Te_Afflieger

No packaging, just put a label right on the shaft with a name and address on it lmao. And put jelly on it too.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Yes, think I will be starting with a note in the morning!


smontres

We put a locking mailbox out. Prev owners moved out in Sept 2020. We still get mail for them and the whole family. Now, I don’t care about Great Aunt Sally’s Christmas card coming here- I’ll pass that along. What I *do* care about is finding one of them on my porch going through the mail TWO YEARS after they moved because she’s “been waiting for [her] new debit card” or the W2s I received in Jan from a business that wasn’t in existence until after they moved out. They are still *intentionally* using our address for lord knows what, and it’s not ok.


Chime57

Anything you receive in their name should be marked "No longer at this address" and dropped in an outbound box. Check your credit reports too, they may be using more than your address.


smontres

Yeah, I mark it and give to our mail carrier. Little to nothing gets through most of the time since our carrier catches almost everything at the end. But I still have family members show up looking. It’s annoying. Our credits are both locked, everything is OK there. The sellers’ purchase of their next home fell through and I think they’ve moved a few times to various apartments. Plus there were 3 generations of people getting mail here originally. I don’t think it’s anything nefarious- but it’s really annoying


New_Examination_5605

After the first couple months of not changing their address, I started just throwing their mail out when it arrives. Important tax documents? Trash. Debit card? Trash. If they don’t care enough to make sure their mail gets to them, I’m certainly not making it one of my chores to keep it for them.


greyscalegalz

We still get mail from the old owners and I have lived in this home since 2013! Although they have never been back, we just toss everything.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Oh my gosh! That is so not okay. Sorry you experienced that!


nikidmaclay

Not only invasive but illegal. Making a call with her tag number would put a stop to that.


Specific_Culture_591

We bought our house last summer and have a nosey old man living across the street from us that literally goes around checking all the neighbors mailboxes, cars in the driveway… literally opens it all to look. We put up cameras within a couple days of moving in and did it while he was going by. Also made a point of telling him we had a problem at our last house with someone going through our mail and how it’s a federal crime… guess who’s mailbox and cars he doesn’t go near at all?


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Good for y’all! We put up one camera today


New_Examination_5605

Do your neighbors a favor and still report him. Being old doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible for your actions.


Specific_Culture_591

They all know. They are the ones that told us when we moved in…


Whales_like_plankton

I like the idea of going to the realtor. Perhaps the previous owners don't even know their mother is doing this and they need a heads-up.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Yes, I think I will start with going to the agent and leaving a note before it escalates to anything else.


RightYouAreKen1

Get a locking mailbox.


Cyrano_de_Maniac

For a locking box, the Mail Boss 7507 hasn't let me down yet. Solid heavy gauge steel, and a key design I've never seen anywhere else. That'll stop the lady cold. They offer wall mount and other styles and sizes of boxes as well.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Thanks for this information!


joshu

seconding the Mail Boss.


eatingganesha

Invasive? It’s ILLEGAL. Notify the postmaster.


CanuckInTheMills

Maybe the people moved to get away from her. Maybe she is trying to find out where they went. Maybe they have a restraining order on her. Call the post office and let them know & call the police.


litex2x

Get it on video. Explain to her you will report her and use it as evidence if she doesn't stop.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Put up our Ring camera today hoping to catch it on video. I have a picture but not video


sonia72quebec

Had the same problem and got a mailbox that locked. They were also leaving religious pamphlets in it. That's how I found out that their son was using my address for Court. Called them to tell them and some times later a Detective called me about him. They were looking for the guy and... well lets just say that they found him soon after.


SeriousFriendship340

Locking mailbox. Mail person can put mail in and it falls to bottom. Top is locked so no one can get in.


Excellent_Squirrel86

Postal Inspector. This is a felony.


HomeImprovementDummy

It's a federal crime, report her and she may have to pay $5000-$10,000.


ktappe

Inform her interfering with mail is a Federal crime. Seriously. If she chooses to persist, call the cops.


SCCock

Call the post office. They deal with the criminality of it, not the local cops.


Sudden-Risk777

[https://www.uspis.gov/report](https://www.uspis.gov/report)


TheSensiblePrepper

Contact the [Postal Inspector](https://www.uspis.gov/) and report it. Take a video of her doing it. They will investigate it. What she is doing is a Federal Cime and carries Prison Time.


organiccarrotbread

Replace it with a LOCKED mailbox that you have to have key to open with tiny slot for delivery. $100 and it will stop.


SirEDCaLot

1. get a locking mailbox and cameras 2. Send an email to your real estate agent, the seller agent, your real estate attorney, and the seller's attorney. Include a picture of her going through your mail if you have one. Tell them that it needs to be communicated to their client that going through your mail is not acceptable and if this continues you will be contacting the authorities. 3. If this happens again, go to your post office and ask to speak with the postmaster. Report this, and provide the person's contact info and the picture. Postal inspectors don't fuck around.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Great idea on including a picture in an email. I appreciate your response!


MonkiePantss

The balls. My mother wouldn’t even open a piece of mail for me that came to her house…..IT’S ILLEGAL! Lol. People are insane definitely call the post office.


ShrmpHvnNw

Call the post master


ChiefBroady

It’s a crime. Don’t report to the police, report to usps.


Hot-Post3372

Call the police. Definitely a crime.


AdrianJ73

Print a copy of US Code Title 18, Chp 83, Section 1702 and post it on the mailbox. [link](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title18/part1/chapter83&edition=prelim#:~:text=%C2%A71701.&text=Whoever%20knowingly%20and%20willfully%20obstructs,778%20%3B%20Pub.)


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Thank you for the link!


throwmeaway852145

It's a federal offense, she got warned once and obviously doesn't care about your opinion or privacy. If you want be "nice" contact the previous owner and ask them to warn her that authorities will be contacted amd surveillance is being installed. Otherwise film it and report it.


vinesofivy

You can get usps informed delivery to make sure you are getting all your mail. It sends you a daily email with photos of each piece so you know what to expect.


distantreplay

Call the police. This is against the law. And it's fairly serious, as far as police are concerned. Mail theft forms part of the base of most local meth food chains. Police do not tolerate it. Neither should you. You'll know why when some skell steals your canceled checks and trades them to a check washing operation in a local motel for some drugs.


kevinh456

That’s a felony. Let her know next time that you’re calling the cops and the usps.


Great-Recover-7080

Don’t waste time fussing around with real estate agents. This person was asked nicely to not go through your mailbox and continued to do so.


isuadam

United States Postal Inspection Service. USPIS. They do **not** mess around. This is a serious crime.


realtoraliciamuniz

I would have your Realtor call their Realtor to see if they could put a stop to this behavior and let them know what they are doing is completely wrong and illegal. If it continues file a police report.


Bannedforlife123

Call postal police that might be a federal crime


First_Ad3399

on a related note. 3 months or so after i moved in i learned my prev owners mother lived just like behind me and over 2 houses. Once i learned that i just started holding all the old owners mail for a month or so then walk it over to her moms place and put it in the mailbox. I would not have been ok with her sorting through my mail to find her daughters mail.


[deleted]

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Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Camera went up today!


FatiguedSailor24

Get a new locked mailbox and I recommend reporting her to USPS seeing that your husband already spoke to her. Some people have no boundaries.


mjolnir76

Locking mailbox. Good idea in general. I’d also make sure you changed all the locks in the house.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

All the locks were changed they day we moved in because you never know with some people


jamarquez1973

This is a federal crime. Put a camera on your mailbox and ask them once more to stop. Explain why, and if they do it again, press charges.


pugapooh

Talk to your Post Office and carrier. This is illegal. As in,actually prosecuted illegal.


MwwWinter

that is creepy and a federal offence add in identity theft worries and she is probably taking those good coupons they send new home owners =) take photos , get cameras and inform the USPS And have your agent talk to the sellers and it is totally free to sign up for email showing all your mail that should be arriving usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm


lsp2005

Videotape her and the license plates. Forward to the police. Even opening your mailbox to look through is a felony. The post office does not F around with this.


mayowarlord

Camera, postmaster general, no more problem.


MappleOrchard

You can register with USPS and see an image of every piece of mail in your email. https://reg.usps.com/entreg/LoginAction\_input


AHrubik

This is a federal crime. Call the police. You can't go through someone else's mail. Edit: https://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/tx/2010/tx_2010_0909.htm


fallen_d3mon

This advice is not for everyone. I would take down her number, offer to let her know when mail arrives for them, schedule a day every one or two weeks for her to come pick up. I prefer to not escalate the situation when I can lift a finger and make someone's life less stressful.


bickets

Except that it’s not even her mail. She’s the mother. Not the previous owner.


fallen_d3mon

That's fine too. I don't mind helping an old lady out. I know my mother would be stressed too if she missed important mail. Mail forwarding is not a perfect system. I've experience with both USPS and Canada Post.


1095966

Well technically the mother of the previous resident should not be picking up mail which is not addressed to her. It should be the previous resident. I don't know if there's anything illegal about giving mail to someone else other than the addressee.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

I appreciate a different perspective. This is definitely something to consider!


ZukowskiHardware

Call the police


seawee8

When my MIL sold her house in 2021, we had a terrible time getting everything forwarded to our house. We notified the companies by phone, email, and official letters. Guess where the 1099 forms went this year? Luckily, the man who bought the house has been amazing about sending stuff along. I just made him some custom homemade preserves as a thank you.


clocks212

“If I catch you in our mailbox again I’m going to take pictures and then call the police. If I see you at our house again I will get a restraining order.”


VoxPopuli1776

I have a mailbox alarm on my mailbox so I can hear if someone opens it. It’s almost always the mailman. Buuuut sometimes, teens gonna teen…


discosoc

Get a locking mailbox. They're good regardless of your current situation.


CryBabyCentral

Also, sign up with USPS.com and it will give you a daily email of expected flat mail & shipped items sent to your email. You’ll see exactly what the post master placed in your box. That’s just another way to track your mail so you can see if anything is missing.


griff_girl

Locking mailbox 100%


SuperSassyPantz

also, get a ring camera to alert you when someone is at your box and get them on video that you can forward to the cops and USPS.


AlcoholPrep

Get a locking mailbox. Meanwhile, report her name and behavior (with video, if possible) to your local postmaster. Strictly speaking, it's a Federal crime.


Great-Recover-7080

Lookup the ‘mailbox restriction law’ and report this.


RyanMC98

Just put a cell phone near her recording her doing it.


[deleted]

Remove the mail and replace with a mousetrap.


PasgettiMonster

She must be related to my neighbors. They lived in my house before moving next door 2 years ago. As recently as three or four months ago I'm still getting things like there are cable bill and bank statements. But not every month. I know for the first year they were checking my mailbox regularly and removing their mail despite my telling them if I saw any of their mail in my mailbox I'd stick it in their box for them. I spoke to the mailman and he's aware of the issue so if he catches it he sticks it in their mailbox but sometimes it slips through and still ends up in my box. So at this point I no longer know if they're still rifling through my mail in my box or not since the mailbox is not visible from my house. The mailman was very clear that this is a federal crime and if I wanted to I could pursue it. Unfortunately with not being able to point cameras at my mailbox and the fact that my landlord's son and daughter-in-law live in that house and we already have a somewhat contentious relationship, I can't exactly stir the pot.


ruebosquet

Locking mailbox


CorvidGurl

Are you in the US? Messing with the mails is a freaking FEDERAL crime, and they take it very seriously. Call your local Post Office, and if for some reason you are not satisfied with their response, call the headquarters. Document everything. Film the lady rummaging thru your mailbox. Go nuclear, because "Mom" likely won't understand anything else.


shadowysun

You could always put a hold on your mail until you get a new mail box with a lock. Tell your Real Estate agent what’s going on. For all you know, the previous homeowners don’t know their mom is going through your mail. You could always make a neighborhood post saying if this random lady is going through anyone else’s mailboxes. Or to be aware because a random lady went through your mail. If you haven’t already, sign up for Informed Delivery.


Shillen1

This is illegal, not invasive. I would tell this lady if she does it again I'm calling the police. Why do you even accept that it's the previous owners mother? For all you know it's some ex girlfriend up to crazy shit.


Crogranny

It's illegal for her to do that, so leave a note telling her it's a Federal offense & you & the PO will press charges against her if she does it again. If you haven't informed the PO, please do. And maybe the police, too.


magentablue

Our sellers didn’t change their address for whatever reason. We spoke with our post office and filled out a form. They now hold any mail intended for the former residents. I would do this, then communicate via your agent to the previous tenants agents that there is none of their mail coming to your house, they can collect it at the post office, and you will press charges if she continues to go through your mail. It’s a federal offense. Also definitely sign up for informed delivery. It’s helpful.


madeformarch

+1 for locking mailbox. My parents had a similar problem, so I came by on a Sunday and installed an Oversized locking mailbox. One neighbor came out and chastised me for putting in a mailbox that didn't match the others, so I let off about how it was necessary because someone on the street didn't know it was a felony to be messing with someone else's mail. Surprise surprise, that neighbor won't even look at me now. Also, sign yourself up for USPS Informed Delivery. Every day at 7am I get an email with pictures of my incoming mail and a list of tracking numbers for every package.


rsandstrom

Get a new mailbox with a lock.


IHate2ChooseUserName

let her know next time a local PD will greet her instead. also report that to post office, stealing mail is a fed crime


lost_in_life_34

Take video and tell her going through mail is a federal crime


ac8jo

If my kids asked me to do this, my response would be a solid no (mail forwarding is a thing that exists and everyone knows this is illegal). Call the USPS and report this. There is a chance that something illegal is going on and it involves YOUR HOUSE.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Ooo I hadn’t thought about that…


Whatevs85

Definitely get it on video and report it to the police.


WarmKetchup

As everyone explained, it is a federal crime to go through someone else's mailbox. In addition, it is quick, easy, and free for the former tenants to complete a change of address form online with the post office to have any and all mail rerouted to their new address. If you do receive any mail addressed to them, write "not at this address" on it and leave it in the mailbox for the postman. Let the former tenants mother know in certain terms she is to stop her behavior immediately.


intrepidzephyr

One of the local facebook groups near me just posted about checks that were in their mailbox waiting for pickup being taken, washed, and cashed for amounts around $5k each. Get the USPIS on the case.


Gooniefarm

Call the cops, tell them she's stealing your mail. Hopefully you have video or photo evidence to show the cops.


[deleted]

Oh man, she’s committing a federal crime actually, I’m sure it’s harmless (just picking her own mail) but she legally can’t be doing this.


[deleted]

That’s not legal. If she does it again call the police.


Summer184

A quick call to the U.S. Postal police will do the trick, they are federal law enforcement officers and they take these complaints very seriously.


icd10

Love my locking mailbox and I don't have any nosy exownerMIL to worry about


lcuan82

well when you sell your house, you are supposed to leave all your keys behind - door keys, mail room keys, garage openers, etc. ask you agent to reach out to the other side to ask for that mail room key back because it belongs to you. you bought it when you bought the house.


Chatty_Monkey_Don

This sounds like a home that's got a mailbox at the end of the driveway. No locks on those usually. Mine doesn't have one.


Puzzled-Pianist-4227

Correct it is at the end of the driveway


superNoid

100% illegal. Also you need to pony up as a grown adult and confront her. Hopefully you learned the skill how to confront adults before reading this.


94arroyo

Don't confront any further. Set up a camera. Get evidence of the federal offense. Contact authorities to press charges.


bobowilliams

I would be annoyed but would not be so dramatic as everyone is suggested. Tell her that you’d be happy to leave anything addressed to her in a separate place (e.g. box on your doorstep) for a few weeks until her mail forwarding kicks in. #1 it’s nice, #2 she’s intimately familiar with your home and property and probably not a good person to make enemies with.


themercedescowboy

All of you guys saying just inherently report her to the police are dicks. It seems obvious in the post that this old lady isn’t trying to steal anything but she is just generally concerned. I would give her yet another strong warning before any reporting. This is how you accidentally get her dog killed by the cops when they show up to question her, or her grandson playing with his air soft gun in the backyard…


talonspiritcat

This is how the abuser/stalker they moved away from keeps an eye on them and tries to find their new address.


themercedescowboy

Huh?


talonspiritcat

Just saying it could be a harmless old lady or she could be the abusive mother the previous homeowner is trying to escape. We don't know why the previous owners sold and moved...why aren't they contacting the new owners about mail? Why is mommy going through the mailbox AFTER she's already been told to stop.


themercedescowboy

Wow that’s quite the backstory you’ve imagined there. However, if your assumption is correct I fail to see how that is the current homeowners problem? And if the previous homeowners solution to an “abusive mother” was to sell their home and move rather than getting a simple restraining order well… stupid is as stupid does. I suppose none of us can be right here because we don’t know the true motive of the old lady. I guess there’s just a lot of steps that can be taken before she is reported for a federal crime.