What happens if a letter is sent to the wrong address

FAQs Home. How can we help? Search for a topic. Share via email. How is Undeliverable and Misdelivered Mail Handled? Information Article Number. Customer Information. If a mailpiece does not have proper postage, it may be returned or delivered according to the following scenarios: If the item is without postage, or it appears postage fell off; it is endorsed " Returned for Postage Mail " and sent to the return address on the mailpiece.

If the item is shortpaid, it will be delivered postage due and the letter carrier will endorse it to show the amount of the postage due. The recipient must pay in cash for postage due mail before the mail is delivered Depending on location, letter carriers may or may not be able to collect Postage Due directly from a customer or a customer's mailbox.

Rural carriers are not required to go to the door with a postage due letter. Policy stipulates that rural carriers go only as far as the mailbox and blow the horn.

The recipient must come out to the mailbox to pay and receive the letter. Note : If the shortpaid item cannot be delivered as addressed including if the recipient refuses to pay for and accept it , it is endorsed "Returned for Additional Postage" and sent to the return address on the mailpiece.

If an item is returned because of no postage or insufficient postage and one of the following is the case: No return address is shown; or The delivery and return addresses are identical; or The delivery and return addresses are different, but for the same person or organization; then the mailpiece is treated as dead mail and goes to the Mail Recovery Center.

Please see " Automated Package Verification Program " for more information. Back to Top Can I pick up mail before it is delivered? Manage your deliveries. Parcel on its way but you're not at home? Have it left in a safe place.

Cost: Free. Find out more about leaving in a safe place. Change the delivery address. Find out more about redirecting. How it works If the sender includes your email address, mobile phone number or Australia Post Customer Number APCN in the shipping details we'll send you updates 2 along the way. Sign up for free Log in to MyPost. Moving To. Lisa Melillo is a freelance writer and entrepreneur with a background in personal finance, tech, and business.

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How to. More References 7. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: June 7, Article Summary X If you have a letter that was sent to you mistakenly, you should return it to the sender. Italiano: Rispedire una Busta al Mittente.

Deutsch: Einen Brief dem Absender retournieren. Bahasa Indonesia: Mengembalikan Surat pada Pengirimnya. Nederlands: Post terugsturen naar de afzender. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,, times.

The company I was returning a package to did not know the policy. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Elizabeth Strand Oct 24, Margo Lang Apr 9, I am a senior citizen, and receive large amounts of useless mail asking for money, or being sent gifts, then asking to be reimbursed for the so-called gift, I can now return to sender after reading this article. Alejandra Mendoza Aug 30, This article helped me a lot!

Noreen Ann Jul 26, Wasn't sure how to state this. As simple as not at this address!! Or unknown addressee. This helped.