What to Do When Your USPS Package is Marked as Delivered to the Wrong Location

It can be frustrating when a package you're expecting is marked as delivered but does not show up in your mailbox. Understanding the possible reasons behind these issues and knowing what steps to take can help resolve the situation effectively.

Common Reasons for Wrong Delivery and Solutions

There are several reasons why a package might be delivered to the wrong location, including:

The shipper provided the wrong address. The recipient or someone else took the package away. The package was delivered but someone opened it and took the contents. The package was delivered to a household but someone inside took it.

Regardless of the reason, the package was ultimately delivered. The latest statistics show that 90% of missing mail or packages are delivered to the incorrect address.

Immediate Steps to Take After Discovery

If you suspect your package was delivered to a wrong location, take the following steps immediately:

Verify Delivery Location: Ask for GPS delivery coordinates of the delivered package. Check with neighbors if someone received it by mistake. Check Address Details: Ensure you have the correct address variation for the specified location. Use the USPS Address Lookup and update your address information in other carrier systems like UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon. Check for Delivery Error Codes: Verify your address does not have any delivery error codes like "vacant" or "no mail delivery." Use online tools like Melissa Data for further verification. Introduce Yourself to USPS: Proper introduction to the USPS mail carrier can prevent your address from receiving other residents' mail. Label your mailbox with your names and provide a current resident label for CBU cluster boxes. Register for Informed Delivery: Sign up for the USPS Informed Delivery service to receive email notifications about mail and packages addressed to your address, including past residents' mail. If you are receiving mail for past residents, contact Informed Delivery to have their account deleted.

Handling Past Residents' Mail

If you receive mail from past residents, it's important to return the return mailers to the USPS immediately. Ensure each mailer has "NOT at this address" written on it and placed in your mailbox flagged up. Do not cross out barcodes, as the information is necessary for the mail carrier to submit MLNA (Mailbox Location Not Available) via their handheld device.

Updating Your Address Information at USPS

To prevent future issues with past residents' mail, submit COAs (Change of Address) for each old address every 2-4 years. Make sure to include all name variations under which you received mail at those addresses, including maiden names, initial names, and misspellings. This will help reduce the amount of past resident mail you receive.

Conclusion

When a package marked as delivered does not reach your doorstep, take immediate steps to verify the delivery and address details. Updating your address with USPS, properly introducing yourself to mail carriers, and registering for Informed Delivery can help mitigate similar issues in the future. If you continue to receive mail for past residents, take proactive steps to resolve the situation.