| There's a reason why the Post Office uses | | | | sticking out defeats the purpose. |
| those big locking mailboxes with the locking | | | | |
| compartment on the bottom. It's the same | | | | -- Sturdy construction. You want your mailbox |
| reason you should, too. | | | | to look good, and to function properly for |
| | | | years. You also want the mail box to resist |
| They do it so people with bad intentions | | | | attempts to gain entry. |
| don't steal the mail. | | | | |
| | | | -- Deadbolt locks. Deadbolts are much harder |
| Identity theft is big business-- both doing | | | | to both pick and pop open than are cheaper |
| it and preventing it. | | | | spring-type locks. |
| | | | |
| There are two things, however, which will go | | | | -- Seperate mechanism for outbound mail. |
| a long way to preventing your vital | | | | Often this is a clip attached to the outside |
| information from falling into the wrong | | | | door box. |
| hands. A paper shredder, preferably a | | | | |
| cross-cut model. And a secure, not just | | | | Locking mail boxes can either mount on a |
| locking, mail box. | | | | post, a wall or even built into a pier or |
| | | | pillar to match your home's architecture. |
| So what should you look for when you shop for | | | | |
| a secure locking mailbox? | | | | Locks run the gamut, from cheap spring locks |
| | | | to keypad activated deadbolts. |
| -- A large drop chute with an angled design. | | | | |
| Mail should drop into a locked box, where it | | | | There are enough colors and styles available |
| can wait safely for you to retrieve it. This | | | | to enable almost anyone to enjoy mail |
| allows large envelopes and magazines to fall | | | | security without robbing from curb appeal. |
| out of the reach of sticky fingers. | | | | |
| | | | Identity thieves are like all other crooks. |
| -- Plenty of storage room. You want to be | | | | They look for the easy pickings. Take |
| able to leave for a few days without having | | | | yourself out of that group by buying and |
| your mail fill the box and stick out the mail | | | | installing a truly secure locking mailbox |
| slot. A locking mail box with envelopes | | | | soon. |