| Security is important not only for your Internet | | | | utility bills, checks and other precious documents |
| safety to prevent identity theft and for your | | | | arrive regularly. A thief who can be only seconds |
| home to prevent burglary, it's also important for | | | | ahead of you can easily gain access to your info |
| your surrounding property and other materials like | | | | in a heartbeat. |
| your mailbox and postal mail. Because the sad | | | | Then the thief can use your info, your identity, |
| fact is that although a load of personal info passes | | | | your accounts. And you could wind up out a lot of |
| through your mailbox nearly every day, the | | | | money, time fighting charges and aggravation with |
| majority of people don't give a second thought to | | | | the entire mess. |
| theft prevention with their mailboxes. And sadder | | | | Fight back with these tips: |
| still, identity theft has been on the rise lately, due | | | | - Replace your old mailbox with a mail slot in your |
| in part to easy access on the part of thieves to | | | | door or a box with a slot for the mail carrier and |
| your private info accessed through your mailbox. | | | | key access to the bottom for you. |
| A major point of focus in mailbox theft is that | | | | - Think about getting a post office box instead. |
| although there are a lot of different types of | | | | - Stop mail while you're away for extended |
| mailboxes from slots to wooden and metal boxes | | | | periods. |
| that rest against the front outer wall, to those | | | | - If you are expecting people to drop by while |
| attached outside to posts and many more. Yet | | | | you are away, an ex-spouse or a house sitter, |
| most of them are outdated, at least with regards | | | | friends of adult children, etc., for example, hinder |
| to security. Yes, the mailboxes open freely so | | | | mail access by stopping delivery or setting up a |
| that people can insert mail. But they open and can | | | | key-access only solution for getting your mail if |
| remain open freely for anyone, good or bad. | | | | you are not comfortable with other people seeing |
| And inside the boxes open to the general public, | | | | your mail. |
| you receive plenty of mail on a regular basis - a | | | | So when you think about identity theft, think |
| basis that could easily be tracked by anyone form | | | | about your postal mail, too. Every piece of mail |
| month to month - with complete private info | | | | contains some type of identity that guides the |
| about yourself and your accounts. Bank | | | | document to your home. So use caution and plan |
| statements, credit card and loan statements, | | | | ahead for your safety and your family's safety. |