What happens to mail sent to wrong address
When mail is sent to the wrong address, it's considered "undeliverable" or "returned mail." Here's what typically happens:
- Post Office Sorting: The mail is sorted and processed at the post office, just like any other mail. However, when the mail is scanned and processed, the sorting machine or postal worker may notice that the address is incorrect.
- Return to Sender: If the error is caught during sorting, the mail is typically returned to the sender (the person or business that sent the mail) with a notation indicating that the address was incorrect. This is usually done through a process called "return to sender" or "RTS."
- Post Office Holding: If the error is not caught during sorting, the mail may be held at the post office for a period of time (usually a few weeks) to see if the intended recipient claims it. If no one claims the mail, it will be returned to the sender or disposed of.
- Returned to Sender: If the mail is returned to the sender, it will be sent back to the original sender's address, usually with a notation indicating that the address was incorrect. The sender may then need to re-send the mail to the correct address.
- Disposal: If the mail is not returned to the sender, it may be disposed of by the post office. This can happen if the mail is deemed undeliverable, or if it's been held for an extended period and no one has claimed it.
- Undeliverable Mail Facility: In some cases, undeliverable mail may be sent to a special facility, such as the United States Postal Service's (USPS) "Undeliverable Mail Facility" in Atlanta, Georgia. This facility processes and sorts undeliverable mail, and then returns it to the sender or disposes of it.
It's worth noting that the USPS has a process in place to handle undeliverable mail, and they work to return mail to the sender whenever possible. However, if the mail is not returned, it may be disposed of or destroyed.