misaddressing

Misaddressing refers to the incorrect delivery or association of a message, package, or data record to the wrong recipient because of errors in address or identity information. It can involve postal mail, electronic communications, or entry in a database.

In postal systems, misaddressing occurs when mail is routed to an incorrect address or recipient due to mistaken street names, outdated ZIP codes, or misread labels. In electronic contexts, emails, instant messages, or customer-relationship data may be sent or recorded under the wrong name or contact, with sensitive information exposed to unintended parties.

Common causes include inaccurate or outdated address data, similar or confused names, data-entry mistakes, insufficient standardization of address formats, and automated routing errors. Poor validation at point of capture or in batch processing increases risk.

Consequences include privacy and security breaches, confidentiality violations, operational delays, miscommunication, and potential legal or regulatory exposure, especially when sensitive data is involved.

Prevention involves data quality practices: regular address hygiene, verification and standardization, deduplication, and validation at data entry; procedures for confirming recipient identity before disclosure; access controls and encryption for electronic channels; prompt investigation and remediation if misaddressing occurs.