I Got a $15,000 Check Meant for Someone Else

**recyclersteve** · 11-03-2018, 01:18 AM

Today I opened my mail and found a $15,000 check mailed to me that was supposed to be mailed to a nearby business- only a mile or so away. The business does electrical work (high end entertainment systems for ritzy houses and businesses).

About 3-4 months ago that same company mailed a $400 check to me that was supposed to go to the business. So the same customer and business were involved. The issue is that the business had a mixup with Google for some reason where they got our address. They have NEVER actually been located at our address, not even before we moved in here (early 1990's).

Why do I mention this? I figure that any business doing electrical work will have leftover scraps and so forth that they aren't using. Maybe in exchange for giving them the check, they could give me some of their scraps or show me where their dumpster is.

When I dropped off the $400 check last time I asked about scrapping and the manager wasn't all that helpful (or friendly). Hopefully, $15k this time will make him more friendly!!! They say that money talks- 150 Benjamins should be able to talk up quite a storm.

**mikeinreco** · 11-03-2018, 07:28 AM

I would probably be mad if you opened my mail too

**miked** · 11-03-2018, 07:48 AM

I hope this will get their attention. 73, Mike

**jimicrk** · 11-03-2018, 08:11 AM

We get other peoples mail all the time. I always check the name and address before opening any mail.

**JJinLV** · 11-03-2018, 01:16 PM

Don't open other people's mail. And if you want their scrap, make a strong pitch for your services instead of trying to parley the basic decency of passing along misaddressed mail into pressure.

**RLS0812** · 11-03-2018, 04:24 PM

Just a note: the manager could call the police on you ...
Opining mail not addressed to you can land you in jail for up to 5 years and/or up to a $250,000 fine
( Federal title 18, Part 1, Chapter 83 )

**recyclersteve** · 11-03-2018, 04:30 PM

Just so you guys know (I probably should have explained this) we had an agreement that I could do this. It is because I get a TON of junk mail for them (and have for at least five years now). Also, I am only opening something to determine if it is legit or not. The junk mail all goes into my trash- the business doesn't want it.

**jimicrk** · 11-03-2018, 05:24 PM

I always write WRONG ADDRESS with a big black sharpie and stick it back in the mailbox, and that includes junk mail also.

**greytruck** · 11-03-2018, 05:51 PM

Shady

**auminer** · 11-03-2018, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by jimicrk

I always write WRONG ADDRESS with a big black sharpie and stick it back in the mailbox, and that includes junk mail also.

^^^This^^^

You're not that business' secretary. Filtering their junk mail is not your concern. Taking their mail to them is not your concern. Sounds like the mgr was a bit jerkly, but as was mentioned: give them a reason other than your free mail filtering/forwarding service.

**DakotaRog** · 11-03-2018, 06:25 PM

Just a note: the manager could call the police on you ...
Opining mail not addressed to you can land you in jail for up to 5 years and/or up to a $250,000 fine
( Federal title 18, Part 1, Chapter 83 )

I think if its his address, it would be awful hard to convict him given that he could say he saw he saw the address first and never really realized who it was addressed to. But, with further explanation by the OP, he has admitted he knew it was this company's mail. The chances, however, that a federal prosecutor bringing up charges, with it being a federal law, is pretty slim. Lots of prosecutor digression on the typical federal attorney side.

If the OP has an informal agreement to screen the company's mail that ends up in his mailbox, then probably not an issue but I would get it to them as fast as possible. I would just mention in my leaving that I still scrap. Might work. Then again, it might not. The OP may also be the first person that the company's management thinks of when stuff they are expecting in the mail doesn't show up. Maybe a two-edge sword kind of deal. Good luck in how it turns out.

**hobo finds** · 11-03-2018, 06:55 PM

**Patriot76** · 11-03-2018, 07:29 PM

If I understand correctly you are dealing with a manager that is not helpful or friendly and a company that does not appreciate what you have been doing, expect you return valuable mail, and could not be bothered to make the needed corrections to end this "misdirection of mail." 'Sounds like you are in a no win situation.

My question is why would you want to do business with them?

**JJinLV** · 11-04-2018, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by greytruck

Shady

This

**jimicrk** · 11-04-2018, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by JJinLV

This

I must have missed something.

**JJinLV** · 11-04-2018, 12:49 AM

By the story it sounds like if you wanna make some money out of this your best bet is to start charging them for your "mail service".

**nutpie** · 11-04-2018, 05:27 PM

Do you have business cards? Hand a business card every time you bring their mail. And tell them you scrap. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall.."

**SKWrapper** · 11-04-2018, 07:54 PM

I understand the agreement but I still would never open a piece of mail not addressed to me. It is a felony and ignorance of the law isn't considered an excuse for breaking it. Morally sure, I wouldn't fault someone for doing that if it were un-intentional and/or there was an informal agreement, but the law doesn't care.

**CapitalRecovery** · 11-04-2018, 09:25 PM

I would collect it for a month and give it to them in a big bag.

**APA** · 11-05-2018, 07:35 AM

Skip the manager and give it to the owner. Shake his hand and hand it to him. Start the conversation.....

Originally Posted by recyclersteve

Today I opened my mail and found a $15,000 check mailed to me that was supposed to be mailed to a nearby business- only a mile or so away. The business does electrical work (high end entertainment systems for ritzy houses and businesses).

About 3-4 months ago that same company mailed a $400 check to me that was supposed to go to the business. So the same customer and business were involved. The issue is that the business had a mixup with Google for some reason where they got our address. They have NEVER actually been located at our address, not even before we moved in here (early 1990's).

Why do I mention this? I figure that any business doing electrical work will have leftover scraps and so forth that they aren't using. Maybe in exchange for giving them the check, they could give me some of their scraps or show me where their dumpster is.

When I dropped off the $400 check last time I asked about scrapping and the manager wasn't all that helpful (or friendly). Hopefully, $15k this time will make him more friendly!!! They say that money talks- 150 Benjamins should be able to talk up quite a storm.

I Got a $15,000 Check Meant for Someone Else

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