| Mail theft and identity theft can happne anywere, | | | | baseball bat proof, and with a strong lock and |
| to anyone, at any time. Anywhere there is a | | | | latch system. Before buying a locking rural |
| mailbox, there is the potential for mail theft. Rural | | | | mailbox, make sure that it qualifies based on the |
| mailboxes are prime targets for mail theft. That is | | | | standards set forth from the Postmaster General |
| why it is important to obtain a locking rural | | | | for a rural mailbox. If you are making a |
| mailbox. Protecting your letters from theft is very | | | | homemade mailbox, you will need to get it |
| important in order to prevent mail and identity | | | | approved by your local postmaster. When installing |
| theft. These are serious problems, and their | | | | your locking mailbox, be sure it is accessible to |
| occurrence is only increasing. Never take the | | | | your letter carrier. |
| security of your mail or identity for granted. | | | | Your mailbox is usually mounted on the on the |
| Never allow criminals to damage your reputation | | | | side of the road or next to the curb. It must |
| by stealing your identity. What are the | | | | meet the standard quality, size, and strength set |
| consequences of identity theft? Well, the theft | | | | forth by the U.S. Postal Service. It is also requried |
| enables access to credit and other resources in | | | | to have a flag to notify the mail carrier of |
| your name. | | | | outgoing mail. The mailbox should be built with the |
| It takes lots of time, money and effort to get | | | | right specifications. In setting up your mailbox, |
| back your stolen identity. It's not only a major | | | | secure it with a strong steel or wood post buried |
| inconvenience, but it can cost real money! The | | | | in cement. |
| primary preventative action you can take now is | | | | Make sure and put the address on the mailbox so |
| to buy a strong and well-built locking mailbox. You | | | | it is easy for your mail carrier to find. If you have |
| can choose different styles of rural mailboxes if | | | | a locking rural mailbox, it is often a good idea to |
| you want. Here are some qualities you should look | | | | put some type of relfective sticker on it so it is |
| for in selecting a rural mailbox: vand-reisstant, | | | | not hit by cars and trucks driving by in the night. |
| waterproof, tough, made of durable materials, | | | | |