subject: Protect Yourself From Identity Theft With A Locking Mailbox [print this page] You know that identity theft is a growing problem and you have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that those who criminals who would like to steal your personal information and use it for their own gain can't do so. You are careful about the information you give on line, you make sure that your credit card receipts are disposed of properly, and you never give information over the phone. You have even gone as far as shedding documents that may contain personal information in order to keep people from picking through you garbage. However, chances are you may have forgotten one thing, that may give those wishing to steal your identity access to the information that would allow them to do so. Your mailbox.
Consider those locking mailboxes in post offices and most apartment buildings. The Government and the owners use locking mailboxes in order to protect their patrons or renters from having their mail gone through by strangers. Strangers who could use the information gotten from the mailbox for illegal purposes. However, most people who live in rural areas or have mailboxes attached to their homes do not have lockable mailboxes. This leaves your mailbox and the contents inside unprotected from those who would make the most of stealing your mail. Do you know that with just piece of mail that contains your address, your name, and your social security number that a criminal can get a new social security card in your name, use that to get a drivers license with their picture and your name, and then take out a loan using your good credit?
However, if you have a lockable mailbox, then accessing your mail is much harder for the would-be criminal and he will simply move on to the next person who does not have a locking mailbox, leaving your personal information alone. Having a locking mailbox will protect you and your credit from identity theft giving you one more tool for protecting yourself and your investments.
When choosing a locking mailbox you want to make sure that your lockable mailbox is tough and durable and while there are many materials used in the production of locking mailboxes you want to choose one made of steel to provide you with the toughest lockable mailbox possible. You also want to find a locking mailbox that has an excellent lock that cannot be easily picked by a would be criminal. Both slam locks and cam locks offer greater protection than most locks on the market and can make your lockable mailbox almost "pick proof"
You wouldn't leave your credit card laying around where just anyone could pick it up and use it, why leave your mail at the mercy of those who want to profit from your hard work and your identity. Taking that extra step to purchase a lockable mailbox is worth the investment and the effort if it protects you and those you love from having your identity stolen. If you are not sure that you need a locking mailbox ask yourself this question.
"Have I ever not received a bill or a letter that the sender said they sent?"
