Opened post

lorrainebrowning · Post by **lorrainebrowning** » 17 Mar 2016, 14:56

Hi I have made a complaint to the Halifax who, when my house was damaged during the floods had builders working in my house at this time I was moved out to a hotel near by. I did not have time to stop my post and a few important bank statements and letters were delivered to my address. The builders at my address used my bank details to purchase mobile phones and had them delivered to my address. This happened 2 years ago I did also receive some bills for the mobile phones but I gave these to the police. I did find my bank statements opened and bills opened but at the time the builders just shook there heads. I used to go to my house after 4 because this was when the builders had left to look at the progress and a couple of times I opened the door to the delivery man who had mobile phones. I did contact the mobile company and they said although they did use a bill and bank statement for the purchase of the bill they could not give me any information as the phone was not in my name even though the other information was this was because of data protection. So someone has opened my post used it to purchase mobile phones. I thought that opening someone mail was illegal so what can I do about this as well as using this to purchase phones. I would please like some advice because I do feel bad that my details have been used in this way especially my bank details. Thank you for any help

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Mar 2016, 15:15

Opening post is a crime - I would recommend reporting it to the Police.

IcanthelpthewayIam · Post by **IcanthelpthewayIam** » 17 Mar 2016, 19:10

Though to be clear it's only a crime whilst it's "post" as soon as it hits the letter box it's no longer classed as post and is not a crime under the postal service act to be opened by regardless of name on letter

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Mar 2016, 20:26

zx135 wrote:Though to be clear it's only a crime whilst it's "post" as soon as it hits the letter box it's no longer classed as post and is not a crime under the postal service act to be opened by regardless of name on letter

Debatable at least:

“A person commits an offence if intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.”

Opening the letter in error is not a crime, using it to get mobile phones probably is even if the letter was delivered correctly to the address, it wasn't meant for the builders.

IcanthelpthewayIam · Post by **IcanthelpthewayIam** » 17 Mar 2016, 22:10

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
zx135 wrote:Though to be clear it's only a crime whilst it's "post" as soon as it hits the letter box it's no longer classed as post and is not a crime under the postal service act to be opened by regardless of name on letter
Debatable at least:

“A person commits an offence if intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.”

Opening the letter in error is not a crime, using it to get mobile phones probably is even if the letter was delivered correctly to the address, it wasn't meant for the builders.

The postal packet had not been incorrectly delivered it had been correctly delivered so that does not apply, remember we deliver to addresses not people, once the letter has been correctly delivered to an address the postal services act no longer applies

also I was quite specific, there is no crime committed under the postal services act for opening it in this circumstance, there may be crimes under other acts of law ie fraud etc but not the postal services act

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 18 Mar 2016, 07:50

Only trying to provide another opinion.