Exactly what I was thinking! All of my bills, besides rent, are paid online via paperless billing. OP possibly had this option available since they had internet service (not to mention theres paper with E-bill too). Albeit some people don't have a checking account, most credit card companies offer debit card accounts and theres bill pay at chain/grocery stores... FYL indeed OP! Id definitely would be looking into pressing charges; no matter how difficult that will be.

I pay everything thru my bank account.

I'm Canadian, and I used to work for an American company and it used to blow my mind how many people don't have a bank account. I've had the same one for 13 years since I was 10 and another for 5 years. Its very rare you hear a Canadian not having an account

I've lived in Canada most of my life and haven't had a bank account since I got myself into credit card trouble in college.

That is a good general rule when dealing with money or gift cards anyway. One of the reasons social security is going direct deposit or debit card only is because of people raiding mailboxes for checks. It's actually a quite common occurrence. Though I imagine its not usually the mother in law. Got to love how quick some family will screw you over.

mother-in-law = the OPs spouses mother, not their own mother. OP, I'd talk to your spouse and see what they have to say, and if they act like they don't care, then you should take this matter into your own hands and do what you need to do.

Actually, it /is/ a federal offense. Tampering with federal mail. It's very illegal to open other people's mail or go into other people's mail boxes.

Yeah, my mother-in-law is a really annoying habit. I tried to break my partner from that habit, but apparently what I had in mind was considered manslaughter.

So... Apparently we missed the fact that it was the mother in law doing this, not the spouse...? Btw, 23, that was brilliant! Lol