Need advice on finding Christmas card with check inside

vickie25 · ‎08-11-2012

I live in an apartment complex. I went to retrieve my mail from our communal mailbox area and as I was leaving I noticed a red envelope that was obviously a Christmas card, sitting on top of the trash in our trash can by the mailboxes. I thought it was odd and wondered why would someone throw a Christmas card away. I started to walk away, but went back and picked it up.

Since I didn't know if it was intentional, I decided to open it. It was a card from her aunt and uncle with a $75 check inside. I do not know this person. She lives 2 floors below me.

So now my dilemna. It was a red envelope that was taped shut. Even though I was careful, you can tell it was opened. So, as I see it, I have 3 options:

1. Tape the card back up and slide it under her door

2. Tape the card back up but leave a note saying I notice the card had been thrown away and apologize for openning it and slide it under her door.

3. Knock on her door and tell her face to face I found this card had been thrown away, apologize for openning it, and hand it to her.

At this point, I am making the assumption it was thrown out in error. That she didn't see it with her other mail and that she really likes her aunt and uncle.

What do you guys think?

madzonie · ‎03-10-2010

I'd take it directly to her and just explain what happened. She'll be thrilled with the check, and most likely happy you found it.

Dam Yankee · ‎06-11-2010

It's against the law to open mail that isn't addressed to you. I would knock on her door, apologize, and explain what happened.

MarLoCat · ‎09-30-2012

#3...The Card probably fell into the trash accidentally by the Mail-person...If it was in the trash it was not against the law to open it.

~A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words~

vickie25 · ‎08-11-2012

On 12/23/2014 Dam Yankee said:
It's against the law to open mail that isn't addressed to you. I would knock on her door, apologize, and explain what happened.

I know it is against the law to open it. The only reason I did, since it had been thrown away, was there was some heft to the envelope, like something other than a card might be inside. I initially thought maybe it was an ex-boyfriend who is having a hard time accepting she's moved on. Since the envelope was red, it is kinda hard to miss it. I thought, "well she recognized the return address and threw it away because she's had enough of this person bothering her".

I was worried if I had knocked on her door and handed it to her, unopened, not knowing the story, that she might have been upset of giving her the card that she obviously threw away.

I do thank you for your reply.

Dam Yankee · ‎06-11-2010

On 12/23/2014 Vickie00 said:
On 12/23/2014 Dam Yankee said:
It's against the law to open mail that isn't addressed to you. I would knock on her door, apologize, and explain what happened.

I know it is against the law to open it. The only reason I did, since it had been thrown away, was there was some heft to the envelope, like something other than a card might be inside. I initially thought maybe it was an ex-boyfriend who is having a hard time accepting she's moved on. Since the envelope was red, it is kinda hard to miss it. I thought, "well she recognized the return address and threw it away because she's had enough of this person bothering her".

I was worried if I had knocked on her door and handed it to her, unopened, not knowing the story, that she might have been upset of giving her the card that she obviously threw away.

I do thank you for your reply.

You're welcome and I'm sorry, but none of that was for you to decide. You should have just slipped it under her door, unopened, and let her decide what to do with her own mail. You owe your neighbor a major apology.

foundinlv · ‎04-20-2012

Vicky....just return it. Don't over think it. You're not a thief, you just made a mistake.

luvingit · ‎02-11-2011

On 12/23/2014 Dam Yankee said:
On 12/23/2014 Vickie00 said:
On 12/23/2014 Dam Yankee said:
It's against the law to open mail that isn't addressed to you. I would knock on her door, apologize, and explain what happened.

I know it is against the law to open it. The only reason I did, since it had been thrown away, was there was some heft to the envelope, like something other than a card might be inside. I initially thought maybe it was an ex-boyfriend who is having a hard time accepting she's moved on. Since the envelope was red, it is kinda hard to miss it. I thought, "well she recognized the return address and threw it away because she's had enough of this person bothering her".

I was worried if I had knocked on her door and handed it to her, unopened, not knowing the story, that she might have been upset of giving her the card that she obviously threw away.

I do thank you for your reply.

You're welcome and I'm sorry, but none of that was for you to decide. You should have just slipped it under her door, unopened, and let her decide what to do with her own mail. You owe your neighbor a major apology.

It was in the trash for Pete sake! I might have done the same thing. Why do some people feel the need to police others?

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

I would just slip it under her door. You did no wrong, but today people always make something out of nothing no matter what. My mail person put an open envelope in my mailbox with a letter from June 4th 2012'. Which I got last week. At the bottom of the letter it said, 20 gift card enclosed. The outside of the envelope was dated Dec. 8, 2014' The gift for 20 dollars was gone.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

On 12/23/2014 madzonie said:
I'd take it directly to her and just explain what happened. She'll be thrilled with the check, and most likely happy you found it.

or if you don't want to get personally involved, take it to the management office and they can contact the resident and if they don't do that, put it back into the mail for correct delivery. Is the envelope too large to get into the mailboxes provided? Just hand deliver it, that person may be looking for the card/check's arrival. I'd just take it to them.