Question: Is This Mail Fraud or Identity Theft?

[orleans]

i know someone who's husband is attempting to cut her off from the outside world (taking away her cell phone, and the keys to the car). she has no money, no job. (he won't let her work and controls the money).

now--and i'm not clear how she found out--he went online and changed her mailing address to a post office box. without telling her. without her permission.

he must have at least checked a box saying that he was her to do this. can a husband reroute his wife's mail to his own personal post office box without her permission/signature/knowledge?

any help is appreciated.

[Howardx]

1. i dont know

but it sounds dangerous to be involved.

[orleans]

2. i'm indirectly involved

anyway--i kinda answered my own question:

"The person who prepares this form states that he or she is the person, executor, guardian, authorized officer, or agent of the person for whom mail would be forwarded under this order. Anyone submitting false or inaccurate information on this form is subject to punishment by fine or imprisonment or both under Sections 2, 1001, 1702 and 1708 of Title 18, United States Code. "
https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/flow.do?_flowExecutionKey=_cBC72C126-A5FD-53EA-C983-E831DE04AE22_kAB88BF36-EE0F-EDB3-0BE9-960B86ADAD92

now, i wonder if she reports this to the police or the post office?

[AlCzervik]

4. do you really think she's going to report him?

based on your op i bet she won't. Does she have any family or friends that can help her?

[ddeclue]

5. But how does she PROVE it?

They share a house and presumably a computer - he will simply claim that she did this and has subsequently changed her mind and is trying to use this to punish him. Reasonable doubt is in HIS favor here is it not?

[Raine1967]

7. Both.

That would be my suggestion.

One is covered in case of domestic issues, the other for federal issues.

[MajorChode]

9. Definitely the post office

Years ago I was the victim of identity theft. The person had my mail forwarded. Two postal inspectors investigated and the person was convicted of several federal crimes. Don't even bother going to the local police as they can't help you.

If the couple is married the issues become a little more complicated. The biggest problem is getting one spouse to follow through as a witness against the other.

[MrsMatt]

15. I concur - years ago we had a box of checks stolen

from our mailbox. Reported the theft to the police and the postal inspectors - four years later, I got a call from the postal inspectors telling me that the ring of forgers had been apprehended and were convicted. Heard NOTHING from the police beyond the initial filing of the report.

Postal inspectors take mail fraud very seriously.

[MajorChode]

16. I would not want the postal inspectors on my ass

I can tell you that much. From what I saw of the investigation it was extremely well done. They had so much evidence against the perp, he got virtually nothing in the plea bargain and did several years in jail. Most local investigators are a joke compared to the feds.

[ddeclue]

3. That seems to be the least of her problems...

she needs some kind of intervention...this sounds abusive.

I'm not a lawyer but it seems that it would be hard for anyone to prove that he did it because they share a house and presumably the same computer and so I don't see how you prove that he did it as opposed to she did it and now claims he did it.

It's a "he said she said" scenario until she moves out and gets a restraining order against this nut job, changes her name, changes all the locks and the account information and disappears into the witness protection program. She sounds like she's at his mercy to me.

Doug D.

[annabanana]

6. Oh my dear.. this sounds like domestic abuse. The first sign

is often the isolation of the victim.

[orleans]

11. that's what is going on.

she's in a lot of trouble and my friend is trying to help her.

this was just a new development today.

[Gwendolyn]

19. If she doesn't get out of there soon...

the mail fraud will seem like nothing compared to the escalating mind control and probably physical violence that awaits her. She needs to GO, and settle everything else later. I hope your friend can convince her to save herself.

[lonestarnot]

20. Highly second your response! GET THE FUCK OUT LADY! HE WILL BE KILLING YOU SOON!

[Fleshdancer]

8. Whatever it is, it's illegal and here is where she needs to send the complaint:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/fcoa.aspx

Like others have said, this extremely controlling behavior is abusive and she needs help now.

[Raine1967]

10. I see that you are directly involved --

I am glad that someone understands the situation -- Can I assume that she is aware of the danger she is in? She needs, if nothing else a way to contact authorities in case of emergency. I am assuming that her husband has already cut off the land line.

And yes, I am assuming -- hoping that my assumption is wrong.

She needs to contact authorities police and USPS for what he is doing. At the very very least, this is identity theft.

[orleans]

12. i'm not directly involved here--my friend is

and she is doing everything she can to help

[dave_p]

13. From the USPS faq:

There is only one (1) official (primary) boxholder for a Post Office Box. This boxholder may permit others to also use the box:

Spouses may complete and sign one PS Form 1093. Each spouse must present two items of valid identification. A parent or guardian may receive delivery of a minor's mail by listing the name(s) of each minor on PS Form 1093.

Other adult persons who receive mail in the P.O. Box of an individual box customer must be listed on PS Form 1093 and must present two items of valid identification to the Post Office representatives.

So it sounds like it's down to the Form 1093. The USPS site doesn't specify what documentation is required to add people to this, but seems only to say what they need to collect mail. Perhaps she needs to ask at the post office, and if necessary take two ID's to collect her mail before it's intercepted. But it sounds a horrific situation.

[orleans]

14. thanks dave.

"But it sounds a horrific situation."

it is.

[elleng]

17. Don't know.

Check Postal Service for rules.

I'm glad others have provided useful info.

My prayers for her. PLEASE help her get out of this abusive situation. (I'm familiar with such.)

[Betsy Ross]

18. THIS IS ABUSE.

She needs to get out of the house immediately and get a lawyer. Been there; done that.