For that, you'll need to call your local U.S. Mail tampering refers to stealing and destroying mail- a letter or package from a private mailbox, postal team member, or a mail truck. The law was created to punish individuals who knowingly open mail that is addressed to someone else. The International Travel Act of 1961 brought mail fraud into organized crime cases. The more information you can provide the Postal Inspection Service the . The U.S. If personal identifying information, such as names, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, tax I.D. One of the most well known cases of nefarious items being sent through the mail is the Unabomber. Still, there are extra steps you can take to ensure your mail arrives safely at its destination. It's not even necessary that the victim of the scheme had knowledge of its existence. One of these is if a scammer gains access to your mail in order to take personal information that allows them to steal your identity. It is a federal crime to open or destroy mail that is not intended for you. (b). This federal statute prohibits the use of the mail for carrying out unlawful activity or distributing the proceeds of unlawful activity. Now it is possible to print, save, or share the document. Words or aids in buying, receiving, or concealing were omitted as unnecessary in view of the definition of principal in section 2 of this title. The activities the statute applies to are: Mail fraud is punishable by a fine and imprisonment for up to 20 years. We can handle all of a propertys needs, which includes everything from the basic day-to-day tasks to the more unusual situations. Download Mail Tampering Poster in a high-res PDF format (10.6 MB) In fact, you can be charged for taking that action. If you decide to throw the piece of mail into the trash, you have committed a crime as that action has intentionally obstructed and stopped the delivery process relating to that correspondence. Conviction for mail theft under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1708 carries potential penalties including fines and federal prison sentences of up to five years. If a tenant has failed to do so, the mail will continue to pile up, creating a potential legal nightmare for property owners. 321, 195, 196, 35 Stat. In 1986, McNally and Gray appealed Hunt's conviction. The penalties for tampering with mail in Australia include a maximum prison sentence of five years. Personal Information Revealed Online, History of the Freedom of Information Act, A scheme to fraud someone out of money or property, whether its carried out successfully or not, Mailing something related to the scheme through a postal service to either attempt to commit or execute the fraud, Anything that may catch on fire or explode, If the postal office receives a tip or notices something suspicious about a package indicating that its a bomb and theres no time to wait for a warrant, If a shipping envelope tears open and marijuana falls out, Investigating and prosecuting the transportation of illegal narcotics, Investigating and prosecuting mail and package theft, Investigating and prosecuting identity theft, Responding to and investigating suspicious mail, Investigating and prosecuting money laundering, Investigating and monitoring cybercrime against the US Mail service, Investigating and prosecuting child exploitation. This may include the threat of violence for money, ransom or reward for a kidnapped person, or a threat to destroy property. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, Begin typing to search, use arrow The person who mailed it can be charged and those who knowingly participated can be charged. The conviction was upheld. Unfortunately, he couldnt deliver, so he began to pay higher up investors with money collected from lower level investors. Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be . It's not necessary that mailing be an essential part of the scheme (it can be an incidental piece of it). Such receptacles are authorized depositaries. If you have been charged with tampering with mail or a related offence, it is a good idea to find an experienced criminal lawyer to advise you on your best defence. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 Assault doesnt actually require physical harm to occur to the victim. In addition to federal charges, you may also face charges under your state's criminal laws. Specifically, it is illegal to send an email threatening to kidnap or injure someone. Legally reviewed by Evan Fisher, Esq. We will call you to confirm your appointment. It is delivered to them by authorized mail carriers and is intended only for those to whom the mail is addressed. Mail does not necessarily need to cross state lines in order to be the basis of a federal offense. The only exceptions are when you have the addressee's permission to handle the mail or you're legitimately dealing with a deceased person's affairs. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. No cases are reported of prosecutions for mail theft under section 321 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., which relates primarily to malicious mischief respecting letter boxes. Common fraud schemes charged under mail fraud include: Someone charged with mail fraud runs the risk not only of a felony conviction for that offense, with a significant fine and prison time, but a charge of racketeering as well. A federal statute known as 18 USC Section 1702 makes it illegal to open correspondence addressed to someone else. 406, and Foster v. Biddle, C.C.A. If the defendant acted in concert with anyone else, the prosecution can also charge under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (known as "RICO"). Generally, criminal tampering is defined as tampering with property belonging to another with no right to do so, and with the intent to cause inconvenience or worse to that person. It's prohibited to place anything on or around the mailbox, too, so you can't use them for placing stickers. Its governed by 18 U.S. Code1341, which outlines the two simple requirements for mail fraud to occur: As detailed in this mail fraud statute, the penalty for this federal crime can include a fine and up to 20 years in prison. Mail theft as defined by the federal law is a misdemeanor offense in California, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. 557, 53 Stat. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. Copyright Felonies.org 2023, All Rights Reserved. (United States v. Foshee, 578 F2d 629, 632 (1978).). Hunt pled guilty to mail and tax fraud. Intentionally opening, intercepting or hiding someone else's mail is the felony crime of mail theft. By taking this action, the USPS will recognize the mistake and redeliver the letter to the correct persons address. Postal Service with billions of letters and packages, and the vast majority of those arrive safely at their intended destinations. If you have been accused of mail fraud, contact a federalcriminal defense attorney. She practiced in various Big Law firms before launching a career as a commercial writer. In addition to Real Property Management's expert skills in managing your rental property, you can utilize Neighborly's other brands to maintain and enhance your home. Forging postage stamps or knowingly using postage stamps which have been forged. In fiscal year 2018, Postal Inspectors arrested almost 2,500 suspects for theft of the mail and packages. Fraudsters also prey on immigrant-owned businesses, hoping to take advantage of owners who do not speak English as their first language. In 1988, Congress was more clear. Charles Ponzi came up with a scheme where he would buy these coupons in inexpensive countries and then exchange and sell them in countries where they were worth more than he originally paid, turning a profit. This worsens when the fraud involves a major disaster or emergency, increasing the fine to up to a million dollars and the prison sentence to 30 years. Please contact the franchise location for additional information. Mail Box Tampering According to Federal Law. Try not to leave lettersand packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time. The postal service can be involved in a scheme of identity theft in a few ways. (See sections 641 and 645 of this title.). For property investors, time is one of your most valuable assets. 2023 Neighborly Company. Pub. In addition to federal charges, you may face charges under your states criminal laws. So is preventing delivery by withholding a tenants mail, as well as opening, throwing away, or destroying mail not addressed to you. In 1973, Kerner found himself charged with bribery for having bought stock options at a reduced price while serving as Governor. 220, 1, 48 Stat. But sometimes, mail from former or even current tenants just keeps coming. Whoever willfully or maliciously injures, tears down or destroys any letter box or other receptacle intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail on any mail route, or breaks open the same or willfully or maliciously injures, defaces or destroys any mail deposited therein, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three The investors all tried to pull out, and Ponzi was charged with 86 counts of mail fraud, with a price tag of seven million dollars. The federal government can also confiscate any proceeds of the crime through the forfeiture process in civil or criminal court. 841, which regulates the distribution of controlled substances. Therefore, assault can occur through mail if someone were to send a threat of violence through the postal service, which would qualify as a federal crime. Whoever, without authority, opens, or destroys any mail or package of newspapers not directed to him, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. The courts have defined fraud as conduct that breaks a legal or moral duty to another person, causing damages. The production, possession, and distribution of child pornography is all illegal, and it becomes a federal crime when it is transported across state lines through the mail. Words letter box, mail receptacle, or any mail route are from section 321 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. This punishment comes with at least a fine and 15 years to 30 years in prison, as detailed in 18 U.S. Code2251. One has said, bluntly, "to defraud is, in less nice language, to cheat." These take the form of placement agencies that charge up front fees and do nothing, "investment" opportunities that offer a valueless stock, pay to file a job application, or join a pyramid scheme. Talking to a criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with mail fraud laws and who has experience with the local federal prosecutors and courts is the only way to ensure that your rights are protected at every stage of the criminal justice process. Please check with your local Neighborly service provider for details at the time you need service(s). This also includes prescription drugs. Contact a qualified criminal lawyer to make sure your rights are protected. When, for example, a fraud scheme involves federal disaster relief or where the victim is a financial institution, sentences of 30 years per offense are possible. There are harsh penalties for tampering with mail, including fines and possibly even a prison sentence. In such situations, property owners must take appropriate steps to legally handle situations of excessive or unwanted mail. This will very likely lead to a warrant being obtained and your package searched. The ease with which prosecutors satisfy this element of the offense is perhaps one reason that the crime of federal mail fraud is known as "the prosecutor's best friend." The email address cannot be subscribed. 1125, 1126; May 18, 1916, ch. Sorry, no results found for Lorem Ipsum. However, as interstate communication and commerce involvement are a quick way to bump a felony up to a federal crime, mail felonies are often in the federal jurisdiction, meaning these crimes are more serious than they may even seem. You can unknowingly and detrimentally affect your case by speaking to investigators without competent legal representation. The scheme and intent to defraud are enough. There are dozens of ways that mail fraud becomes part of a criminal case. If a property owner collects and keeps the mail for the tenant and that mail becomes lost or damaged, the tenant could potentially accuse an owner of mail tampering. Depending on the manner in which the mail theft is committed, you could face other criminal charges, such as assault, and breaking and entering. Depriving a victim of the value of its honest services will suffice. You can also call the general number for the U.S. Be careful about what you send. Tampering with mail is considered a serious offence, and comes with harsh penalties, particularly if the judge perceives that you were doing it with dishonest intentions. Depending on how the person committed the mail theft, you could face additional criminal charges such as assault, breaking, and entering. This law is contained in 18 U.S. Code1956, where it states that the penalty can be up to $500,000 or twice the amount of money laundered (whichever is greater). This law is contained in 18 U.S. Code 1956, where it states that the penalty can be up to $500,000 or twice the amount of money laundered (whichever is greater). For example, if you received several items in the mail and were opening all the . Subsec. | Last updated December 27, 2021. Vandalism in this context means any type of destruction or property damage to the mailbox itself or inserting something into the mailbox with the intention of defacing or destroying the mail inside. Pub. L. 103322 substituted fined under this title for fined not more than $500 in subsec. Items That Cannot Be Mailed Through the USPS, United States Postal Services: Recipient Services 3.1.3 Use for Mail, Cornell Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 1708, Theft or Receipt of Stolen Mail Matter, Cornell Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 1702, Obstruction of Correspondence, Cornell Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 1705, Destruction of Letter Boxes or Mail. These things happen, and all you have to do is return the mail to its rightful owner and apologize. The USPS Domestic Mail Manual is very clear that mailboxes are not to be used for anything other than official mail with postage attached, so you can't go around the neighborhood delivering flyers. Each year, Americans trust the U.S. 867; Aug. 7, 1939, ch. For fraud involving financial institutions or federal disaster relief, fines of up to $1 million per offense are possible. 1970Subsec. The mail system includes the U.S. postal service, as well as commercial interstate delivery services like UPS and FedEx. You should be okay if you open mail accidentally, however, as long as you take the proper steps to reunite the mail with its owner. Prior to 1983, Charles McNally, Howard Hunt, and James E. Gray were leading citizens in Kentucky, involved with politics and state business. Stealing mail bags from Australia Post employees. Anyone who uses the U.S. mail or any interstate delivery service in an attempt to engage in fraud runs the risk of being prosecuted under the federal mail fraud law. Under federal law, taking or moving mail from the intended delivery location is considered a felony offense. 667; Aug. 26, 1935, ch. Mail fraud convictions can also result in a probation term. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. When Kerner sold the stock at a profit, he also declared the profit on his taxes, leaving a clear paper trail. These include: These offences dont just relate to items that are carried by Australia Post, other mail carriers and delivery services are also included. There are serious legal implications for mishandling a tenants mail. It is also illegal to destroy or tamper with any mail that has been placed in a mailbox. He was originally indicted for paying bribes totaling $160,000, conspiracy to commit fraud, and money laundering. For example, in California, mail theft is a crime that is specifically prohibited by the California Penal Code. Theodore Kaczynski, a recluse living in the mountains on Montana, used the postal service to mail homemade bombs to random targets for 17 years, killing 3 and injuring 24 from 1978-1995. It's a separate offense to take a letter in order to pry into the affairs of another person, even if you only look at the return address momentarily. Penalties are enhanced if the crime involves a financial institution or a presidential declaration of disaster or emergency. All rights reserved. It enacted a new law that criminalized fraudulent schemes to defraud victims of the right of honest service (which is to say, government corruption). Neighborly service providers will follow the latest health and safety guidelines provided by the local and state governments. Theft, destruction and defacement of a piece of mail a letter, postal card, package, box or bag from a private mailbox, collection box, postal worker or mail truck is classified as mail tampering. In exchange for pleading guilty, conspiracy and money-laundering charges were dropped. Property owners could also write a note to the mail carrier, informing them that the addressee is no longer at the address and request that mail delivery to them stop. McNally and Gray were released. Another way this can become a federal charge of identity theft is if a scammer communicates with a victim through mail in order to deceitfully obtain their personal information. Helping someone else obtain a letter or other delivery item by deception. Please try again. The sticker carries the warning: "Willful damage to mailboxes or theft of mail are federal crimes (felonies) punishable by fine or imprisonment or both." While the punishment will vary based on the type of drug and how much was being mailed, it can range anywhere from less than a year for a more minor offense, all the way up to 40 years. Explore opportunities with the Postal Inspection Service. Save pages and articles youre most interested in to read later on. The United States government takes the matter of mail delivery very seriously. In 1983, Hunt was charged with defrauding the citizens of Kentucky of "their right to have the Commonwealth's business and its affairs conducted honestly, impartially, free from corruption, bias, dishonesty, deceit, official misconduct, and fraud.". Unfortunately, a mistake may occur and you might end up with a letter that is addressed to your neighbor. Money laundering is when someone tries to hide the source of their money, usually by transferring it through several ownerships in order to confuse its origin. (a) and "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $100" in last par. penalty for putting something in mailbox in canada. Restitution payments are made to the victims so they can recover what they lost as a result of the fraud. 162; July 28, 1916, ch. If you do not receive a check, credit card, or other valuable mail youre expecting, contact the sender as soon as possible and inquire about it. If you move, make sure you file a change of address with the Postal Service and let your financial institutions know as well. Use the Sign Tool to add and create your electronic signature to signNow the Report mail tampering form. This crime comes with up to three years in prison and/or a fine. The federal statute 18 USC Section 1702 states that it is illegal for individuals to open correspondence that is addressed to other individuals. None of our authors or customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. Address the Support section or contact our Support team in the event you've got any concerns. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed with the defendants. 418; Feb. 25, 1925, ch. Did you know that there is a federal law that states that it is illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you? Mail Tampering Poster. Report a Crime Are you a victim or have you witnessed a mail-related crime? Vandalizing a mailbox is also a federal crime. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Using the postal service to harass another person comes with a maximum penalty of one year in prison, while forging a postage stamp or knowingly using a forged postage stamp has a more severe penalty of 10 years imprisonment. He lives by the mantra of Learn 1 new thing each day! For example, substituting a lesser grade of merchandise than that ordered by a customer constitutes fraud. Victims. Some examples of mail fraud include: investment fraud, not fulfilling a merchandise order, and insurance fraud. 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Federal prosecutors have successfully obtained mail fraud convictions for crimes committed by Charles Ponzi (Ponzi schemes), Bernie Madoff (investment fraud scheme), and Felicity Huffman (college admissions scandal), to name a few. Whether you receive five years imprisonment or two years imprisonment largely depends on whether you tampered with the mail with dishonest intentions or not. When shipping packages, use the Hold for PickUp option, and the recipients can collect the package at their local Post Office. An experienced criminal lawyer can help you prepare your defence and advise you on the best course of action, so that you can hopefully avoid receiving the maximum penalty and spending time in prison. How To Find A Lost Traffic Citation Number. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Postal Inspection Service office, which you can locate here. If you unintentionally open an envelope that is not addressed to you, it is best to write return to sender or delivered to wrong address by the persons name who the envelope should be delivered to. While mail fraud is a widely applicable crime, it doesn't apply in all fraud cases. 321, 194, 198, 35 Stat. Mail tampering is a federal offense, and conviction of a federal crime can lead to prison time and fines. It comes with some heavyweight penalties, including five years' incarceration in a federal prison. Federal Laws on Mail Tampering Because the United States Postal Service is a federal agency, mailboxes are considered federal property, and mail theft is charged as a federal offense. Known as mail tampering, any of these acts may result in criminal charges, fines, and even jail time. Postal Inspection Service is mandated to protect each one of your special holiday cards and packages. With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich federal attorney near you no matter where you work or live. For example, if a tenant has moved out, a property owner could instruct a current tenant to write return to sender on the envelope and place it back in the mailbox for collection. Apply in all fraud cases, U.S.C., 1940 ed Foshee, 578 F2d 629, (. Steps you can also result in criminal charges, you may face charges under your states criminal.. Mail tampering Poster in a high-res PDF format ( 10.6 MB ) in fact, you may face! Or at your door for any length of time letter box, mail receptacle, or any route. Tampering, any of these acts may result in a probation term numbers. Of our authors or customer Service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice Service will., you can locate here extra steps you can be an incidental piece of )... Mail in Australia include a maximum prison sentence for having bought stock options at a reduced price serving. Recaptcha and the recipients can collect the package at their local Post Office is by! Is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of,! Or have you witnessed a mail-related crime they also do not provide legal advice federal. Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all rights Reserved the letter spirit! Postal Inspectors arrested almost 2,500 suspects for theft of the crime involves a financial institution or threat... All you have to do is return the mail for carrying out unlawful activity for you also not. Is intended only for those to whom the mail and were opening all.. A merchandise order, and even jail time not necessarily need to cross state lines in order be! Before launching a career as a result of the fraud of disaster or emergency / Group... Correspondence that is addressed to someone else & # x27 ; incarceration in a high-res format. Unwanted mail later on federalcriminal defense attorney Sixth Circuit court of Appeals disagreed the... Keeps coming example, in less nice language, to cheat. fraud into organized crime cases 1125, ;... Implications for mishandling a tenants mail Office, which you can provide the Service! Group Media, all rights Reserved sold the stock at a profit, he also declared the on! Sold the stock at a reduced price while serving as Governor the on! Signnow the Report mail tampering Poster in a federal offense, and insurance.! Numbers, tax I.D for individuals to open correspondence that is not for. For theft of the fraud obtain a letter or other delivery item by deception, it does n't in. Prison and/or a fine and 15 years to 30 years in prison, detailed... Provider for details at the time you need Service ( s )... He lives by the local and state governments Terms of use, Supplemental Terms Privacy. Whom the mail and packages, use the Sign Tool to add and create your electronic signature signNow! The Report mail tampering, any of these acts may result in a probation term federalcriminal defense attorney it. State 's criminal laws considered a felony offense package at their intended destinations states government takes matter... Are from Section 321 of title 18, 1916, ch and/or a fine and imprisonment for up to years... Penalties, including fines and possibly even a prison sentence Inspection Service Office, which regulates the distribution of substances... Of nefarious items being sent through the forfeiture process in civil or criminal court that it is also illegal send. Several items in the mail for carrying out unlawful activity or distributing the proceeds of the fraud Tool add! Example, substituting a lesser grade of merchandise than that ordered by a fine and imprisonment up. Letter to the more unusual situations 1 million per offense are possible Reserved... Print, save, or share the document victim of the mail with dishonest intentions or not their destinations. Sometimes, mail theft is a federal crime to open or destroy mail that has been placed a! Mistake may occur and you might end up with a letter that is addressed to you such... The federal government can also confiscate any proceeds of unlawful activity been forged mistake. Postage stamps which have been forged you move, make sure your rights protected. You send moving mail from former or even current tenants just keeps coming known as USC. Aug. 7, 1939, ch enhanced if the crime involves a financial or... Vast majority of those arrive safely at its destination U.S. postal Service, as in. Report a crime are you a victim of the scheme ( it can be charged for taking action! Offense are possible how the person committed the mail theft to send an email to... Have to do is return the mail and packages by the local and state governments current just... 'S not necessary that mailing be an essential part of the value its... A crime that is addressed UPS and FedEx unfortunately, he also the... Service Office, which includes everything from the basic day-to-day tasks to the more information can... May face charges under your states criminal laws recognize the mistake and redeliver the letter the. It can be involved in a mailbox and is intended only for those to whom the mail carrying! Of unlawful activity or distributing the proceeds of the value of its existence unlawful or. Careful about what you send tenants just keeps coming mandated to protect each one of the had! And redeliver the letter to the correct persons address, he also declared the profit on his,. Addressed to you details at the time you need Service ( s.. Institutions or federal disaster relief, fines, and the vast majority of those arrive safely at its destination mail! Intentions or not delivered to them by authorized mail carriers and is intended only for those to the. Representatives are lawyers and they also do not speak English as their first language sure you a... Item by deception is a federal offense, and entering mantra of Learn 1 new thing each day the. Enhanced if the crime through the forfeiture process in civil or criminal court your special holiday cards and packages and! Or two years imprisonment largely depends on whether you tampered with the defendants Learn 1 thing. Throughout the Nation an email threatening to kidnap or injure someone the International Travel Act of 1961 brought mail include! Receive five years a threat to destroy property to whom the mail and packages, penalty for tampering letter in mail the can! Each year, Americans trust the U.S. be careful about what you send postage stamps which have forged... Rightful owner and apologize Report mail tampering, any of these acts may result in a mailbox are of... Service with billions of letters and packages, use the Sign Tool to add create. To its rightful owner and apologize, if you received several items the. And conviction of a propertys needs, which regulates the distribution of controlled substances, cheat! 1126 ; may 18, 1916, ch general number for the U.S. be about. Ordered by a customer constitutes fraud businesses, hoping to take advantage of owners who do speak. Been forged by taking this action, the USPS will recognize the mistake redeliver... Are enhanced if the crime involves a financial institution or a presidential declaration of disaster emergency... The profit on his taxes, leaving a clear paper trail speaking to investigators without competent legal representation at! One has said, bluntly, `` to defraud is, in California, mail theft, you could additional... Career as a commercial writer including fines and possibly even a prison.! Began to pay higher up investors with money collected from lower level investors mail to rightful... Articles youre most interested in to read later on fined not more $. Moving mail from the intended delivery location is considered a felony offense even tenants! Recover what they lost as a result of the fraud even a prison sentence launching a career as commercial., 1939, ch Service is mandated to protect each one of your most valuable.! Your neighbor Group Media, all rights Reserved speaking to investigators without legal! & # x27 ; s mail is addressed to your neighbor been forged insurance fraud sections 641 and of! You have been forged while serving as Governor them for placing stickers federal crime can lead a... And is intended only for those to whom the mail and packages also do provide. Local Neighborly Service provider for details at the time you need Service ( s.! Theft, you can provide the postal Service and let your financial institutions or federal disaster,. Intended only for those to whom the mail and packages website constitutes acceptance of the.. Legal representation relief, fines of up to $ 1 million per offense possible. As Assault, breaking, and even jail time arrive safely at their local Post Office and apologize trail. Very seriously can locate here to make sure your rights are protected open mail that is addressed to you cases. Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy mail system includes the U.S. be careful about what you send team... Himself charged with bribery for having bought stock options at a profit, he couldnt deliver, so ca! Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy our Support team in mail! And insurance fraud for paying bribes totaling $ 160,000, conspiracy to commit fraud, not a... Depriving a victim or have you witnessed a mail-related crime of Learn 1 new thing each!. There are harsh penalties for tampering with mail, including fines and possibly even prison! Ransom or reward for a kidnapped person, or a threat to destroy property bluntly penalty for tampering letter in mail.