It's common knowledge that mail and identity theft rises during the holiday season. Thieves are targeting unlocked mailboxes during the holidays to gifts and sensitive information. However, many people don’t realize how easy it is for thieves to walk up to your mailbox and steal the contents. Your mailbox is a treasure trove for thieves, and mail theft is rampant this time of year.
How to protect your mail during the holidays (or any season)
Never send anything you wouldn’t want stolen. Bring sensitive mail including checks or gift cards to a blue USPS mailbox or better yet, directly to the post office.
Immediately removing your mail promptly isn't always the best solution. Some thieves will follow postal carriers in broad daylight to steal your mail. A secure locking mailbox is the first line of defense against ID theft.
Never send cash in the mail. When possible, avoid sending gift cards – they’re the same as cash and they can’t be replaced.
Don’t use your outgoing mail flag. as it tells thieves there is mail to be stolen – your postal carrier will see outgoing mail when they deliver your incoming mail anyway.
Request signature required delivery for packages.
Use a security locking mailbox to protect your incoming mail and packages from the mail thieves – this is the surest way to prevent mail-identity theft.
If you don’t already have a locking security mailbox, the holiday season is the perfect time to get one. While the holidays are a prime time for mail theft, thieves still target unlocked mailboxes year-round to steal your information.
When choosing a locking mailbox, look for a strong and durable model to prevent mail theft and vandalism. A quality locked mailbox should be:
- Made of heavy gauge galvanized steel
- Designed to prevent fishing by hand
- Designed to prevent prying and leveraged entry
With the prevalence of mail-identity theft, a quality locking mailbox is a necessary investment to protect your privacy, and will provide peace of mind knowing your good name is safe.
Still Have Questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us with additional inquiries!