Illegal to open mail that isn't addressed to you?

[rudder]

Here's the deal:

I have an Irish last name with an apostrophe. Let's just use "O'Malley" as an example name.

Today I received a letter in the mail addressed to someone with same first and middle name as me, but their last name was slightly different: "OMALLEY" was printed on the envelope. This was a jury summons from the local government. I think they must have got the address wrong, because there is no one here with that last name. My passport and birth certificate both state, "O'MALLEY"

I definitely don't want to face the consequences of opening someone else's mail, especially when it is mail from the government. So I need some helpful advice from some smart people on here.

What is the procedure for returning mail to the post office so that it can arrive to the proper addressee? Obviously there has been a mistake here, and I don't want to pay the price of someone else's mistake by opening mail that is not addressed to me.

Based on the similarity in name, and using my address, it sounds like someone might be trying to steal my identity. I'm concerned about that as well, but right now, I am just looking for advice on how to return this unopened envelope to USPS so that it can get to this other person that it has been addressed to.

thanks

[Teal Lantern]

If the address is incorrect, simply return it to the post office, or hand to any carrier.

If it's your correct address and only an apostrophe is off, it's probably for you.

If it turns out you can only tell it's not for you AFTER opening it (wrong SSN or something) you can still return it to the post office. They want to get it to the correct person, not bust you for their mistake.

[rudder]

I don't want to deal with a jury summons. So, since they got my name wrong, legally I can just send it back unopened, correct?

[momopi]

If the letter was sent to you in error, simply write "RTS" (return to sender) on it and give it to your mail man.

If your name is "Jason O'Malley" and the Jury Summons is addressed to "JASON OMALLEY", obviously it's addressed to you regardless of the spelling. You could simply return the letter, or open it and write in some excuse why you cannot serve jury duty and mail it back. However, do please understand that our legal system needs people to serve on the jury and this is your civic duty as a citizen.

I've been to a few jury summons and have never been selected. You sit around, play video games for few hours and they release you.

[rudder]

Yes, it says "JASON OMALLEY" and not "JASON O'MALLEY"

Legally this is ample excuse to write "RTS" on the outside of the envelope and give it back to the mailman. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to photocopy the envelope first for my records in case the state has a coniption fit. I could plead discrimination against the Irish also. Why is it my duty to help a soulless government that can't even extend me the simple respect of properly addressing me? Not to mention how this same country treated my ancestors.