Indeed your friend can use your mailing address, but they should have a remailing or forwarding address. Favors between friends are common; however, you do not want things to run south, especially if an address is involved. let’s explore the question “Can I Let My Friend Use My Address for Mail?” in more detail.
If a friend has asked you if they can use your address, and you didn’t know what to say, this article may be for you. We will try to answer some of your queries about your friend using your mailing address through this article.
Table of Contents
How to send your friend a letter?
Start with writing your and your friend’s address on top of the envelope. Place your friend’s address first on the envelope’s center.
Follow that by mentioning your house number and street name. Finally, write your city, state, and zip code.
Can I Let My Friend Use My Address for Mail?
It is not illegal to let your friends use your address.
As per the federal statute 18 USC section 1702, opening a mail addressed to another person is illegal. But, the law does not apply if you accidentally open the mail.
Why should your friend need your mailing address?
There can be a variety of reasons for this. But instead of assuming, it’s best to ask your friend why they might need your mailing address. It can be due to jurisdictional matters, like the loss of food stamps.
Sometimes some people might lose their food stamps requiring them to have a different mailing address. Your friend might also be concerned about losing their mail at their current address.
Why can you let your friend use your address?
This will depend on your discretion. However, it’s advisable to let your friend use your address if they indeed need something urgent that cannot be delivered to their PO or address.
In cases where people have to show proof of residence, a PO is rarely helpful. In such circumstances, allowing your friend to use your address is fine.
How to send a letter in general?
For starters, cancel the address on the envelope with a permanent marker, then write the new address. It’s recommended to use block letters. Write down “Moved or Forward” on the envelope and drop it in the mailbox or take it to the post office.
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Can you open mail made to your address?
Ideally no. Even if your friend uses your address to get their mail delivered, opening mail that is not addressed to you is illegal. In fact, opening a mail not addressed to you intentionally, intercepting it, or even hiding it is a felony and can demand some heavy penalty and up to 5 years of prison charge.
If you do destroy such mail or damage it, you are partaking in commuting obstruction of correspondence, which is a felony.
Can you stop someone from using your address?
If you are not comfortable with your friend using your address any longer, there are a few things you can do.
Based on the ways your friend is using your address, you can do the following:
Mart their unopened packages and mail them as “Not at this address” or “Return to Sender.” Once done, leave them in your mailbox or return them to the delivery person. You should also inform the mailman that the receiver does not live at that address.
If you get any renewal notice or other official documents addressed to your friend, it’s advisable not to open them. Instead, contact the company or organization that sent the emails and inform them that they have the wrong address.
You can also lodge a report with the nearest USPS regarding the unwanted mail.
In case you are concerned that your friend is using your mailing address for something unsocial or criminal, or if you feel scammed, reach out to the nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You can also file an online complaint with them.
Likewise, if your friend uses your address to apply for a driver’s license or insurance, report it to the police. The police can help you understand the law in your locality and determine whether or not your friend is committing fraud.
Wrapping up:
Though it’s not strictly illegal to use a friend’s mailing address, however, their intent must be non-criminal. If they are up to something illegal, it may lead to fines and jail time.
So, if you are uncomfortable with your friend using your address or feel they are up to something shady, take the right action and sort out the problem.
