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Original poster

I've opened someone else's mail and it's serious....

170 replies

Pepperwand · 23/10/2019 13:31

Just after a bit of advice. A letter came through the door today, right address but the name wasn't us our the previous owners of the house. It was however, sort of similar to my maiden name but a male. So for example if my name was Michelle Henderson this was for Malcolm Hutchinson (just a made up example).

I occasionally enter an alias name if I'm signing myself up to something to avoid junk mail so thought it could be something I'd called myself to a random company in the past and opened the letter.

It is a serious letter detailing a fine in relation to "Sex offenders register failure to comply with notification requirements". It mentions bailiffs/enforcement if this isn't paid.

Obviously this is really bad and now I have the name of the person. I don't want to get in shit for opening such a letter but I don't want bailiffs turning up at my door thinking he lives here!

Do I call them and fess up? Do I put it back in the post marked as wrong address? Help!

OP posts:
PerspicaciaTick · 24/10/2019 02:43

I don't think it is a scam. It sounds more like someone was fined for not updating their details on the SOR. They have failed to pay the fine, so the court have passed it on to the bailiffs to collect payment. Just like all unpaid fines are dealt with.
Double check the number is legitimate and then call them to tell them they have the wrong address.
You won't get in trouble for trying to sort it out now, but leaving it is just delaying the conversation.

Broken11Girl · 24/10/2019 02:51

This is very weird. Surely someone breaching the notification requirements would be arrested/ summoned back to court?

Broken11Girl · 24/10/2019 02:53

Ah right, seems it's not a scam, note to self: rtft.

Broken11Girl · 24/10/2019 02:55

Agree with gluing/ sellotspibg bsck up and return to sender, no-one will care, or even probably notice if envelope is relatively intact.

Sforsh49 · 24/10/2019 03:32

OP @Pepperwand if the letter is from the Magistrates Court ring the Police and ask for your local MOSOVO Team. They manage sex offenders. I have worked with them in the past.

Basically from what you've said a registered sex offender has appeared at court and given your address. Part of their requirements of being on the register is to give all addresses they stay at to the police. To not do, or to give a false address, is a criminal offence - which is what they originally appeared in court for from your letter and were fined for which they appear not to have paid.

They are trying to hide from the system. Trust me, MOSOVO will want to know. They will act on it and will do so very, very quickly.

If you want any more advice feel free to PM me

Sforsh49 · 24/10/2019 03:34

Oh and @Pepperwand you are definitely NOT in any trouble with the Police or the Courts, please be assured of this x

TheScruffyDog · 24/10/2019 06:01

MyOtherProfile
Apologies, explain THEY don't live there. Obviously the Op does. Rest of my post still stands. It's really not an issue.

Dirtyjellycat · 24/10/2019 06:11

I moved into my house 2 years ago. Since then bailiffs have turned up about 6 or 7 times for the previous owners. Each time they come very early in the morning, and I have to show evidence of ownership of the house. I have also received dozens of final demands - I only know about them because, by coincidence, have the same initial and surname at the previous owners (I have a very common surname). Don’t ignore the letter or bailiffs will come to the door. Phone the number on the letter and explain what’s happened. This is the only way to ensure that a) bailiffs don’t come and b) you receive nothing more from the court. I’d also phone the police in case he has deliberately given the wrong address.

Lovingmylife · 24/10/2019 07:23

You could always call the non emergency police number and ask them about it because they should be able to look into it if it is actually to do with a known sex offender.

EleanorReally · 24/10/2019 07:33

i am not sure that royal mail redirect post any more?

MyOtherProfile · 24/10/2019 08:01

RM do redirect post.we still sometimes get post for the previous owner and we give it back to the postman if we catch him in time.

PunkHairToday · 24/10/2019 08:07

@pepperwand You haven't actually said in all of this exactly what the letter asks the recipient to do! Is it asking them to turn up in person, send their correct address, pay a fine now?

It's quite simple really...

If you are sure the phone no is genuine and not from a crook, phone them, you can also scan the letter and email it to them if needed, OR contact your local police station who must surely be aware of all SO in your area and where they are supposed to live.

Forget all about opening a letter in error- it's not important.

LannisterLion1 · 24/10/2019 08:08

Can you take the letter into your local police station? Or call the non emergency line to let them know.

HeronLanyon · 24/10/2019 08:12

Royal Mail do still redirect post - you have to apply and pay fee for however long you are requesting it. My redirection seems to be working fine.

babypossum · 24/10/2019 08:29

Don't ring the number on the letter. Google the Magistrates Court and ring them directly. Just tell them you opened it in error. You will not get into trouble.

SoupDragon · 24/10/2019 08:40

Don't ring the number on the letter. Google the Magistrates Court and ring them directly.

If you had read even just the OP's posts you'd know that the numbers are the same.

Original poster
Pepperwand · 24/10/2019 09:42

Just an update. I still couldn't get through to the magistrates court so rang 101 and spoke to a police officer. She didn't ask for many details but said to return the letter to the court with a note enclosed basically repeating what I had told her, that the person named had never lived at this address and that they could deal with it from there as "there's not much I can do about it from this end." Hmm Anyway, that's what I'll do.

To the person who asked why I'm getting involved when it's none of my business. I have two young children and I don't want my address being in any way linked to a known sex offender....I think that's fair enough?

When a letter comes to the house addressed to the wrong person I do usually just write "not at this address" and put it back in the postbox. I think I'm glad I opened it in this case as I don't want people using my address for nefarious purposes, as a PP said.

OP posts:
babypossum · 24/10/2019 10:22

SoupDragon clearly I got distracted at the last OP post. Apologies to the thread police but more sincerely, apologies to the OP for not noticing and repeating what you'd already said.

katewhinesalot · 24/10/2019 10:43

I'd also include a sentence in that letter about ensuring my address is removed completely from any reference to sex offenders. I'd want written confirmation. My worry would be that vigilantes may turn up in the future.

SophiaLarsen · 24/10/2019 13:54

I was once sent the results of an employee's sperm test. It was addressed to me but obviously was not for me. The 😱 when I opened it!

I immediately saw him and gave him the letter explaining that it had been incorrectly addressed. He was very good about it.

So for your situation i would definitely call the number and explain the situation.

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