Identity theft is a real problem in modern society – studies reveal that approximately 1 in 20 Americans are victims of this kind of theft each year. This extremely common problem can be incredibly detrimental and lead to years of setbacks when it comes to your finances or irreparable damage to your credit score.
Often, mail theft is the most common way that to your personal or sensitive information falls into the wrong hands. Because important pieces of your information are just sitting in your mailbox on a daily basis, it’s important to have a secure mailbox so that it is not easy for criminals to access your personal information.
Locking mailboxes are incredibly secure and include a whole host of features that ensure your items are not easily accessible to anyone who may happen to pass by your residence. To ensure that you purchase a mailbox that will keep your bank account, social security number, or other information safe, the following will let you know exactly how locking mailboxes work and what features to look out for if you are in the market for one of these great items.
Overview
A locking mailbox is not too dissimilar to a regular mailbox in a variety of ways. It looks similar and features all of the same functions of a standard mailbox – your mail carrier inserts your incoming mail into the designated slot, and it sits inside until you retrieve it.
The main difference, however, is that the interior of the mailbox is inaccessible to anyone who doesn’t have a specific key. Even mail carriers cannot access the mail inside your mailbox without your assistance.
With that said, locking mailboxes also include a space for outgoing mail. In these special mailboxes, outgoing mail is stored in a separate compartment than your incoming mail so that it can be accessed by mail carriers.
While these outgoing mail trays are often well concealed, keep in mind that they can still be accessed by anyone who may happen by your mailbox. For truly sensitive information, personally delivering your outgoing mail to a post office is the most secure way to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands. With that said, a high-quality locking mailbox is the next best thing.
High-Quality Materials
Top of the line models will also be made of sturdy, high-quality materials, which ensure that they cannot be easily broken in to. Even if locking mailboxes feature a secure locking system, if they are made from pliable materials, they can still be broken into with special tools or sheer force.
For this reason, it is important to look for a heavy mailbox that is made from the strongest material available.
The most secure mailboxes on the market are made from metal. Often, you’ll find models constructed from heavy-gauge electro galvanized welded steel, which is nearly impossible for common thieves to penetrate. A durable powder-coated finish also gives your mailbox a sleek look and adds as an extra layer of security.
Similarly, the inclusion of corrosion resistant stainless steel hinges adds to the secure construction and also makes it easy to access your mail when you need to.
Locking System
The locking mechanism is perhaps one of the most important components of a locking mailbox. It allows keyholders alone to access the mail inside. Intelligent identity thieves are well trained in lock-picking, making it incredibly important for the lock on your mailbox to be top-of-the-line and impossible to break.
Many locking mailboxes include high security, commercial grade 12-disc wafer locks, which deter thieves from drilling or picking the lock to access your incoming mail. These mailboxes will also come with 2 or more keys, allowing multiple members of your household to gain access to the inside of your mailbox.
After all, while it is important for your mail to be inaccessible to strangers, it should still be easy for you or your family members to access it on a daily basis.
Additional Security Measures
In addition to high-quality materials and secure locking systems, most modern locking mailboxes feature additional security measures that ensure your sensitive information is always secure. Leveraged entry is one way that thieves access the contents of mailboxes.
Prying their way in is rendered nearly impossible, however, when your mailbox has additional security measures.
You’ll find that a variety of locking mailboxes include anti-pry latches that ensure no one can pry or leverage their way inside. These patented anti-pry latch locking systems also feature a chrome-alloy tempered steel hook cam to act as an extra security measure.
In addition, special magnets mounted on the interior of the mailbox ensure that the door is kept closed and your mail remains dry. This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to access your mail without permission.
Installation
Another concern when it comes to mail theft is your mailbox being removed or stolen altogether. To ease this concern, many locking mailboxes include details that make them virtually impossible to remove from their post. While the heavy, steel material is often enough to deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing your mailbox, ultra-secure mounting systems act as a second layer of defense.
Locking mailboxes can be mounted to wood, metal, or a column, depending on your preference. No matter where you choose to position it, high-quality mounting hardware should come included with your mailbox for added convenience.
In addition, these mailboxes are relatively easy to install, allowing you to have a secure mailbox almost immediately after purchase. For extra security, base plates or posts manufactured from the safe, heavy-duty galvanized steel are sold separately and allow you to ensure every component of your mailbox is up to quality standards.
Capacity and Slot Size
Another thing to consider when choosing your locking mailbox is the overall capacity. Often, locking mailboxes range in size, allowing you to select one that will properly accommodate the volume of mail you tend to receive on a daily basis.
Locking mailboxes range in size from small to medium-sized models (which have a capacity of anywhere from 400 – 999 cubic inches) to much larger models (which have a capacity of over 1,751 cubic inches). The size you choose largely depends on your personal preference.
If you often receive packages and want to ensure they are secure as well, an Extra Large model is an excellent choice. If you generally only receive standard pieces of mail, a Small or Medium-sized model is usually all you need.
The slot size of a locking mailbox is also important to consider, as larger slots generally make it easier for thefts to occur. Standard locking mailboxes include a slot that measures 10.25-inches wide and 1.9-inches high, allowing them to accommodate packages that are approximately the size of a box of checks.
With that said, larger locking mailboxes are built to accommodate bigger packages. These mailboxes have an incoming mail slot that typically measures nearly 9-inches high and 10.5-inches wide.
Despite having a larger slot size to accommodate shipments and packages, it is not easy for thieves to reach in – these mailboxes have a special interior design that makes it virtually impossible for anyone to reach inside or “fish” for your packages once they have been delivered to your residence.
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Conclusion
Even if mail theft isn’t a common occurrence in your area, not being prepared leaves you susceptible to identity theft. Remember, once your identity has been stolen, there is no going back. Purchasing a highly secure locking mailbox is a great way to ensure that this is never something you have to worry about.
This simple extra security measure could save you immeasurable amounts of money, time, and stress.
When looking for a highly secure locking mailbox, be sure to find a top-of-the-line model that is impossible to penetrate. The right locking mailbox should be made of heavy-duty steel to prevent damage or vandalism and should also include a high-quality locking mechanism to prevent picking.
Similarly, extra security measures like anti-pry latches or anti-fishing mechanisms act as an important extra layer of defense. All of these components work together to ensure your sensitive information never falls into the wrong hands.
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Last Update: 2024-04-26 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
