| entity theft an increasing concern and the theft | | | | own key will open. |
| of cheques a real worry, it’s no surprise | | | | Even if the key is unique, the structure of your |
| that more and more people are buying locking | | | | mailbox has to secure in order for it to do its job. |
| mailboxes. | | | | Many mailboxes have panels which are just bolted |
| A mailbox of this type can give you greatly | | | | on, making them easy to snap off using basic |
| increased security and can help to buy time even | | | | tools. |
| if a thief is really determined - time in which that | | | | Some can even be pulled apart by hand. Look for |
| thief might be caught. But not all locking mailboxes | | | | a mailbox which is properly welded together. It |
| are as secure as they claim to be. What should | | | | should be made of sturdy materials and should be |
| you look out for when you go to purchase one? | | | | firmly attached to its post or to whatever |
| It’s one thing for a mailbox to have a lock, | | | | surface you intend to mount it on. |
| but how secure is that lock? Not all mailboxes | | | | Finally, make sure that your mailbox is big enough |
| come with individual keys. Many are mass | | | | for all your mail. This may sound obvious, but |
| produced so that a set of ten or twenty keys - | | | | it’s something many people forget. Mail |
| which a thief can easily accumulate - will open all | | | | which is left protruding from the slot is easy prey |
| of them. There’s really little point in buying | | | | for thieves. |
| a mailbox like this when for just a few dollars | | | | Be sure to empty your mailbox regularly and |
| more you can buy something which only your | | | | make sure it’s secure again afterwards. |