The Cost of Mail Theft

Look down a typical street in Anytown, USA and mailboxes that line both sides of the street are usually of the non-locking kind. They vary in size, shape, and color, but for the most part, the regulation type mailboxes are easy access for would be thieves, when the mailboxes have no locking mechanism.

Mail theft can cost a homeowner or business thousands of dollars. Furthermore, non-locking mailboxes can invite thieves to steal not only mail, but also identities. Every day, mail thieves victimize people in even the best neighborhoods. Having a locking mailbox would be a deterrent to criminals who look for the easiest targets.

This theft of mail and identity generally occurs right in front of a person's home and takes only seconds to achieve. In the theft, the thief obtains private information people might not even want their neighbors or families to know. Stolen mail includes incoming letters, bank statements, new credit cards, checks, prescriptions, bills, and personal correspondence that is only one's own business.

Businesses receive a great deal of mail daily and put a great deal of mail out. This mail that includes checks and payments, includes account numbers and other private information, that becomes compromised when thieves steal mail from a business. It compromises the personal information and security of those patrons whose personal data is included in that stolen information. Some businesses have rental boxes at the post office, but inconvenient daily trips makes it less than a good situation at times, and some businesses have been tempted to use regular mail delivery and pick up.

Smart business owners and homeowners have concluded that the best way to protect self from mail theft is to install a locking mailbox. In addition, a business must do all they can to protect the privacy and security of its patrons. Nowadays, this includes protecting its mail.

As a homeowner, I have had mail stolen from an unlocked mailbox. Fortunately, the thief was apprehended, and I had no negative results from the theft. Soon after that, I purchased a locking mailbox.