Choosing a Locking Mailbox

With identity theft an increasing concern and the theft of cheques a real worry, it’s no surprise that more and more people are buying locking mailboxes.

A mailbox of this type can give you greatly increased security and can help to buy time even if a thief is really determined - time in which that thief might be caught. But not all locking mailboxes are as secure as they claim to be. What should you look out for when you go to purchase one?

It’s one thing for a mailbox to have a lock, but how secure is that lock? Not all mailboxes come with individual keys. Many are mass produced so that a set of ten or twenty keys - which a thief can easily accumulate - will open all of them. There’s really little point in buying a mailbox like this when for just a few dollars more you can buy something which only your own key will open.

Even if the key is unique, the structure of your mailbox has to secure in order for it to do its job. Many mailboxes have panels which are just bolted on, making them easy to snap off using basic tools.

Some can even be pulled apart by hand. Look for a mailbox which is properly welded together. It should be made of sturdy materials and should be firmly attached to its post or to whatever surface you intend to mount it on.

Finally, make sure that your mailbox is big enough for all your mail. This may sound obvious, but it’s something many people forget. Mail which is left protruding from the slot is easy prey for thieves.

Be sure to empty your mailbox regularly and make sure it’s secure again afterwards. Properly maintained, a good quality locking mailbox will keep your mail secure year after year.

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