The mail brings something to everyone – but Karl S. unfortunately not so reliable. Important letters have not reached him for years. The Viennese suffered damage of several thousand euros due to reminder costs, court and legal costs. He suspects that some of these letters end up in the wrong mailbox, but the Swiss Post has so far been unable to solve the mystery of the missing documents. “I feel powerless,” explains S. at the local inspection “Krone” in Döbling.
Since 2021, important documents – or rather, reports that such items are ready to be picked up at the post office – disappear. The problem: as soon as the yellow collection slip for RSb or RSa letters is supposed to be in the mailbox, the letter is deemed to have been delivered – even if the note has accidentally ended up with the neighbour. However, it is difficult to prove that one never received a registered letter.
“This could drive those affected to ruin”
In total, the lost mail caused damage of several thousand euros. Objection periods were exceeded, reminder and collection costs were incurred and legal and judicial costs were also due. Because a payment request from his car insurance was not forthcoming, S. unintentionally drove for weeks without valid car insurance. He would therefore have been fully liable for all material damage and personal injury in a traffic accident, explains lawyer Philipp Slemr: “In individual cases, this can lead to financial ruin for those affected,” explains the lawyer.
S. isn’t quite sure what happened to the pick-up coupons the post office says were delivered – but he suspects the similarity in a neighbor’s address is at the heart of the problem. He lives in the apartment with door number 9A/1 – the other address is number 9/1.
Recipients of misdirected mail may throw letters away
He has tried many times to contact this neighbor on 9/1. Ring the doorbell, put a note in the mailbox with a request to call, where his letters may also often end up. But in vain – according to another neighbor, the lady spends most of her time abroad. It is not mandatory to forward misdirected mail to the correct recipient. “While it would be desirable for misdirected shipments to be returned to the post office, this is not mandatory in the Austrian legal system,” explains Slemr.
Mail deliverers who put letters in the wrong mailbox can even be prosecuted themselves. “If it is an official document, deliberately misleading the program would even be punishable by law as abuse of office. As a rule, however, it is not intentional, but pure carelessness,” says Slemr.
Additional charges may be requested on a case by case basis
The lawyer recommends consulting a lawyer if the incorrect sending of a mail item has resulted in financial damage: “Depending on the specific circumstances of the individual case, there are different ways to defend yourself against this, so that you can best recover your extra costs. can avoid, for example from debt collection such as reminders, collection, court and legal costs that you ultimately do not have to bear yourself.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
