Letter opened on arrival ...

MimiJane

I know this isn't a money-saving question, but just wondered if anyone else had experienced this and what, if anything, they'd done about it.

In the post this morning, I received a letter in an envelope which had been torn completely across the top (someone had obviously wanted to view the contents for whatever reason). The letter was not private as such, but I'm pretty disturbed by this, as I also got a bank statement in the post and it would obviously have been more serious had this been viewed by someone.

If the Royal Mail were to open it for some reason (e.g. address not fully displayed), would they have had to reseal it and put a note on the envelope? Are they allowed to do this and can they be held responsible for the letter arriving in an open envelope?

It would help of course if I could get hold of someone at my local Royal Mail depot but, as always, they have the answer machine on, so I can't speak to anyone at the moment.

Any advice much appreciated.

taxi97w

That happened to me once - but it had not completely been ripped off. I was not concerned however as it looked like it had got caught in some sort of mechanism - something that they have at the sorting/stamping office perhaps?

Nile

Hello Mimi1

If the phone line isn't much help, put your concerns in writing.

I had an envelope delivered by Royal Mail which had been opened. Just next to the stamps, they had put a postmark (round/ring shaped) stamp stating DAMAGED IN TRANSIT. All the paper documents were inside, but the goods has disappeared ::).

This was due to the sender using inappropriate packaging. The goods should've been dispatched in a jiffy/padded envelope and instead they were in a plain manilla envelope which wasn't sufficiently robust.

I've no idea where the goods ended up, I contacted the supplier to get them to send another package........and left the supplier to claim against the Post Office for the missing goods.

If your envelope doesn't state DAMAGED IN TRANSIT or similar markings.............it looks like a light fingered transient postal worker may be at work.

Does your postman wear a uniform? If not, he's a transient worker and may not be as reliable or trustworthy.

Spendless

I once opened a letter straight away and found me gazing at someone elses bank account - when i looked at the letter it had been posted at my house in error - the address was one a couple of streets away - same hoiuse number but that's all possties error so i sellataped it back up and stuck it back in post box i think i wrote on it - sent to wrong address in error - so it might be what's happened here, it's gone to wrong address someone has opened it by accident - cos i open all our mail never thought to check whether it had my name and address on - and stuck it back in postbox.

do you see your postman? could you just mention it to him/her?

MimiJane

Thanks for all the very useful replies.

As I can't seem to contact the Royal Mail, I'll try and catch the postman tomorrow morning. He's a nice guy (always in full uniform) and, hopefully, he'll have an explanation. If not, I'll try and contact the RM again and, if I have no joy, I'll put it in writing to them.

Thanks again.

Hellion

I had a letter opened once and the contents weer also stolen. The letter contained a smartcard, people must have thought it contained a credit card and opened it. It was cut down the side of the envelope. Complained to royal mail and got a refund for the missing contents.

scheming_gypsy

If the Royal Mail were to open it for some reason (e.g. address not fully displayed), would they have had to reseal it and put a note on the envelope?  Are they allowed to do this and can they be held responsible for the letter arriving in an open envelope?

The post office would only need to see the postcode i presume, but if the postman couldn't read which house on the street it was for he may open it to find out the name and number. Doubt he'd be carrying spare envelopes or notes.

La_Fenice

Try sending an email to ROYAL MAIL- CUSTOMER SERVICES - DAMAGED MAIL

I had cause to complain to them this morning regarding a similar matter and when I too couldn't get hold of anyone on the phone. Got a very swift response and hopefully the matter will be resolved tomorrow!

hth

MimiJane

Cheers. ;D

Freebie_Hunter_2

I've had opened letters with contents intact AND missing, mail damaged due to it being stuffed and jammed into the letterbox, recorded delivery letters signed for by the postie and put in my letterbox, parcels left in the doorstep....

Complained 'til I'm blue in the face but it falls on deaf ears.

I dread to think what I haven't recieved!