Is it illegal to open another persons mail

In the United States, it is generally illegal to open someone else's mail without their permission. This is considered a violation of their privacy and is a federal offense.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has strict rules and regulations regarding the handling and opening of mail. According to the USPS, it is illegal to open or tamper with someone else's mail, including:

  1. Opening or reading someone else's mail without their permission.
  2. Stealing or taking someone else's mail.
  3. Altering or destroying someone else's mail.
  4. Using someone else's mail for personal gain or to cause harm to the sender.

The USPS has a specific law, 18 U.S.C. § 1702, which makes it a federal crime to open or tamper with someone else's mail. This law states that:

"Whoever, being the owner or custodian of any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or having in his possession any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, which has been committed to his care or custody for carriage by mail, postal service, or other means of transportation, or whoever, being the owner or custodian of any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or having in his possession any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, which has been committed to his care or custody for carriage by mail, postal service, or other means of transportation, shall, with intent to defraud or to obtain money or other property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, or for any other unlawful purpose, open, take, or destroy any such letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any part thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

If you are caught opening or tampering with someone else's mail, you could face criminal charges and penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

It's important to respect people's privacy and not open or tamper with their mail without their permission. If you receive a piece of mail that is not addressed to you, it's best to return it to the sender or contact the USPS to report the issue.