[OPSEC/Computer] Using a dead relatives name?

So i had great uncle who passed away a few years ago that lived in the in-law apartment below me, but the mail was never separated into units or suites. He still gets a constant stream of junk mail (mostly charities and insurance companies) Do you think its a good idea to use his name on a few orders? I control the mail in my house and this seemed like an extra layer of protection even if a little morbid


Comments


[6 Points] Spoogly:

That's actually opening you up to a mail fraud charge on top of any other charges, and also looks rather suspicious, unless everyone you're ordering from ships their products so it looks like junk mail. Surely, your post office is aware of his death, but even if they're not, it'd be easy enough for them to find out. Postal workers might be fine delivering a steady stream of junkmail, but what if that junkmail stops, for instance? Then they're gonna start noticing the only things coming through are packages, and they may even notice that your great uncle hasn't been lurking about the place often.

Do I think it would work? For a time, probably. Maybe even indefinitely. Does it provide any further protection? No, probably not. As soon as they know you're receiving drugs to your address, they're going to be trying to figure out exactly who is receiving them... Especially if they check the background on the name on the pack and notice that it's a dead person.


[4 Points] pe3knuckl3r:

why not?

i used to get stuff delivered in my ex's name for months after we broke up.

the mailman had seen her before, she used to sign for all my stuff.

she moved back to the town from whence she came...i couldn't imagine her applying for mail forwarding, so no real worries that they'd get to her new address or anything....besides they have to send you a letter letting you know if there is mail forwarding setup at your address.

i remember once he walked past without dropping anything off, and i knew from the tracking he had somethin' i'd been waitin' for ... so i chased him down a few minutes later, asked if he had anything for my ol' lady.. he said he was just on his way back with something.. i said i'd save him some time and bring 'her' the package she'd been expecting...

i love "junk" mail :D


[1 Points] -STIMUTAX-:

I do this. Never been a problem


[1 Points] 666fun:

What does that actually solve? If they cd you, you're the one taking possession. If they search, you're the one with the drugs. The package could say ElviS Presley on it, but if you're being investigated or arrested, all that will do for you is get you a mail fraud charge in addition to the to do everything else.


[0 Points] Theeconomist1:

What problem does this solve? I don't see an "ethical" problem in doing this but I guess I tend to believe this doesn't solve a problem beyond the additional risks it may introduce. Now perhaps it'll put a buffer b/w the contraband and yourself, but if you are at the point that LE are doing a CD or investigating, they'll probably get to you, the recipient, anyway. They'll realize your uncle is dead and they aren't dumb, they'll perhaps do further investigation. In other words, at the end of hte day, this won't offer a whole lot of protection if LE is involved.

The risks are there though. I always worry that dead or moved people will have their mail stopped at some point. You just may never know when. The executor of your great uncle's estate will probably put a mail forward request in at some point to get his mail. Or USPS will realize he's dead at some point and stop the mail. This puts you at risk for a return to sender scenario OR perhaps being forwarded to someone who may inadvertently open the pack.

Now, another bad case scenario is say LE is on to you, they will pop you for an additional mail fraud charge.

There are tried adn true ways of doing this that are pretty safe. I'd try to minimize risks where the rewards just aren't enough to justify it. I just don't think this adds much of a layer of protection and introduces additional risk vectors that could cause you problems. The reasons have nothing to do with morbidity of using a dead relative's name - its not like you are trying to steal their credit or anything. Its just, IMO, is not safe.