I’m Angry, my nosy neighbour has opened my post AGAIN!!

I don’t bother no body, I keep myself to myself, I don’t involve myself in anyone’s business, I wish we lived in a world where everyone treats everyone with love, care and respect.

This morning I went to downstairs to collect my parcel from the communal area I share with on other neighbour on ground level. To find I had regularly post a big brown envelope with was addressed to me and had “private and confidential stamped in red. When I picked up the letter it was heavy like something else was inside. I turned it around to open it, only to find it had already been open as the sellotape the sender had placed over the sticky part had been lifted open and attempted to sell back.

I returned into my flat went upstairs to take pictures and video my finding, then looked inside the big evidence to find private paper work from my therapist… and a smaller brown envelope which had also been opened and attempted to seal back. Again I took pictures and videos of my finding before pulling out the contents. The contents was part of my life experiences from birth to late teens.

I was so upset because I knew straight away, my ground floor neighbour (who lives alone) could only be the person who open my post… this is not the first time this has happened… in the past I noticed any post with private and confidential stamp is always opened and attempted to seal back.

I’ve never confronted her about my post before, in the 4/5 years since she moved in, with always had the hello, goodbye, have a good day type of relationship…but today I had to say something. I knocked on her door and straight away I could see how nervous with guilty she was.

nomally I get a hello from her… today I got “YAH”

I asked why is my post open? (showing her the first large envelope).

Replied “I don’t know, the post man threw it on the floor when he brought her her parcels earlier, that’s how I I found it.”

so I asked“ so why was this one opened ?” (showing her the smaller envelope which was inside the larger envelope).

she replied “ I don’t know when the postman threw it to the floor I just picked it up and put it on the side.”

I could tell she was lying so I just said “ok”and went back in my flat slamming my door behind me.

I then got tearful and angry with myself because I should of told her that ever since she’s moved in, I’ve noticed any post with private and confidential stamped on it has been open, that I know it’s her and if it happens again I will contact the police. But i didn’t.

All day I have felt low and tearful knowing she has read my private personal traumatic information.

I sent an email to my then therapist informing her of what has happened. She wasn’t in today, but will be in tomorrow.

Although I have no trust of police… I am considering reporting my neighbour and hope they give her a warning.

[Rituals]

This happened to my neighbours. With you confronting her is a step forward she now knows she’s been found out. But your letters shouldn’t be on the floor, why didn’t she have decency to put through your letter box. I would report to the post office.

[Hidden in reply to Rituals]

Thank you for responding. Yes I hope now I’ve confronted her, this will not happen with my post again. We live in a converted house, which contain 2 flats. Although the main door into the communal has a letter box… our individuals flats don’t. So we put each others post on cupboard.

[Agora1 in reply to Rituals]

I would report it as well since it is a Federal Crime to open someone else's mail. xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for responding. Your right… I’m strongly considering reporting her.

[b1b1b1]

Yes, I would also report it. I would talk to the post office first, and if they are not helpful, I would also talk to the police. A warning to her from either the post office or the police may be sufficient. If she knows it is a federal crime, as Agora mentions, that may well be enough to make her stop.

[Hidden in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you for responding… I don’t believe her story regarding the post man. So I am considering the police. I feel because I’ve confronted her this time. I don’t think she’ll be stupid enough to the same thing. I feel she may take my post completely next time.

[b1b1b1 in reply to Hidden]

You are right. She could just take your post and you would not kn0w. Report her. x

[LifeIsThePitts]

If you're in the US, tampering with federal mail is a felony. Id start by reminding her of that fact.

[bethelbee]

Definitely report it!! As LITP stated here in the states it is a federal crime to tamper with someone else's mail. I wouldn't let it go on any longer. She needs to be held accountable.

[Toddzen]

That's really awful. I had a neighbor bring me a letter she opened. She said I am sorry I opened your letter. I knew my Uncle had sent me $200 in that letter. I said where is the money? She reached into her pocket and gave me the money. She was going to keep the money.

[Lazy_dog_lover]

If it is illegal to open another petson's post then I would report the neighbor. A police warning may be helpful.

Ask if you can put a locking box for larger posts in the common area. You could also get box at the post office.

Your neighbor is causing you tremendous stress. Confront and ignore don't work. Report and compromise are next.