Mailboxes - Protect Your Identity

"Cadillac" of Mailboxes

2008-07-20T13:12:00.001-07:00

Looking for a quality mailbox of solid, heavy duty reputation? Here is the Hampton Mailbox pictured to the right in a tasteful new age bronze color.

The manufacturer of this mailbox, GDM Mailbox Company L.L.C. of Huron, Ohio, has been in the mailbox industry since 1991.

Centrally located in the United States, their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility contains the entire manufacturing process under one roof. From engineering, fabricating, powder coating, and quality control to packaging and shipping, they oversee all stages of the production process personally. This control over the compete operation allows them to surpass customer expectations in quality, service, price, and delivery.

These "Cadillac" of Mailboxes are known even among their competitors as having the highest quality in the business.

USPS Mailbox Regulations

2008-07-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Individuals must place mailboxes on motorized city, rural, and contract delivery service routes so a carrier can safely and conveniently serve them without leaving his or her vehicle.

The USPS states mailboxes must be on the right-hand side of the road in the carrier’s travel direction in all cases where traffic conditions make it dangerous for the carrier to drive to the left to reach the mailboxes, or where doing so would constitute a violation of traffic laws and regulations. Mailbox placement must conform with state laws and highway regulations.

Here are some basic guidelines according to the USPS:

1. Mailboxes should be installed at a height of 41–45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.

2. Mailboxes should be set back 6–8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door.

However, because of varying road and curb conditions and other factors, the Postal Service recommends that customers contact their local Post Office™ before erecting or replacing mailboxes and supports.

Mailbox Improvement Week

2008-07-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Each year, the Postal Service designates the third full week of May as Mailbox Improvement Week to encourage customers on city motorized, rural, or contract delivery service routes (formerly highway contract box delivery routes) to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance of their mailboxes. Neat, attractive mailboxes make a significant contribution to the appearance of the countryside and streets in suburban areas. Mailbox Improvement Week, May 19–25, calls attention to the need for providing mailboxes that are:
1. Approved by the postmaster general.
2. Designed to protect the mail from weather.
3. Safe to use.
4. Conveniently located.
5. Neat in appearance.

Mailboxes that meet these five important requirements help delivery and collection operations and improve service to the entire route.

Information Provided by the USPS

Identity Theft

2008-07-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime. It happens when an identity thief obtains some pieces of your personal information. The thief then uses the information about you, without your knowledge, to commit fraud or theft. The identity thief is disguised as you, using your identity to make purchases. The trail leads back to you, which has potential to hold you liable.

Sometimes Identity Theft expenses can reach up to $10,000 - $15,000. This could take months, possibly years to correct. Thieves find mailboxes easy targets to steal information from. A locking mailboxes prevents this from happening.

Consider safeguarding yourself by securing incoming mail and shredding documents you throw away.

Identity Theft Prosecution

2008-07-14T16:42:00.001-07:00

What's The Department Of Justice Doing About Identity Theft And Fraud?

The Department of Justice prosecutes cases of identity theft and fraud under a variety of federal statutes. In the fall of 1998, for example, Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act . This legislation created a new offense of identity theft, which prohibits knowingly transferring or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of Federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable State or local law. This offense, in most circumstances, carries a maximum term of 15 years imprisonment, a fine, and criminal forfeiture of any personal property used or intended to be used to commit the offense.
Identity theft or fraud may also involve violations of other statutes such as identification fraud, credit card fraud, computer fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, or financial institution fraud. Each of these federal offenses are felonies that carry substantial penalties in some cases, as high as 30 years, imprisonment, fines, and criminal forfeiture.
Federal prosecutors work with federal investigative agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service to prosecute identity theft and fraud cases.

You can prevent mail fraud simply by safeguarding incoming mail with an Identity Safe Mailbox. An identity safe mailbox consists of a locking mailbox in which the mail person can drop your mail into a hopper(similar to a USPS box). Mail is then only accessible by the owner through a locked door. (Make sure and choose a heavy duty steel or aluminum mailbox and not a plastic locking mailbox).
Why put yourself at risk when you can start protecting yourself now?

What Does An Identity Thief Want?

2008-07-12T07:53:00.000-07:00

In the wrong hands, your incoming mail can be a huge resource of information about you. A bill from your credit card company, a statement from your checking account, an unsolicited offer of a new, pre-approved credit card (complete with application). And your outgoing mail may include personal checks you are sending to pay bills (containing your routing and checking account numbers). If you don't have a locking mailbox for incoming and outgoing mail, you are vulnerable. It pays to have a locking mailbox that will secure your incoming mail. If you have an important out-going mail you do not want sitting in your mailbox, it is recommended you drop it at the Post Office or use a USPS dropbox.

Cool Mailbox

2008-07-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

I ran across this mailbox the other day and thought it was pretty cool. What a creative and unique mailbox. I really enjoy the detail on this one.

It's location is unknown. I did find the manufacturer though: The Mailbox Ranch LLC

Maybe this one isn't to your liking. Check out
these mailboxes and mailbox posts for a more contemporary and modern appeal.

Heavy Duty Mailboxes

2008-07-09T20:13:00.001-07:00

If you live in a rural section of your state, or in a city subdivision that has curbside mailboxes, the need for replacing your mailbox because of drive-by vehicle damage or vandalism is very real and results in frequent mailbox replacement. Fortunately there are a few things you can do to avoid these costly repairs. One preventative measure that can be taken is to measure the distance from your mailbox to the road. The United States Post Office has several clearly defined regulations with respect to the minimum and maximum amount of space that should be left between the road and the mailbox. Ensuring that you fall within these guidelines is the first step to cutting your mailbox expenses. Next step would be to purchase a heavy duty mailbox and a heavy duty post. Another step you can take is making sure the height of the mailbox to the ground is adequate. I will discuss this step in more detail in a future blog.

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

2008-07-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

. A locking mailbox is a good way, but is not the only method used to protect yourself from identity theft. If you have a standard mailbox, you can help prevent identity theft by keeping unsolicited personalized offers out of your mailbox and by getting your name off unwanted mailing lists. There are a variety of companies (some free) like ProQuo that will do this for you. Keeping this type of mail out of your mailbox will reduce the amount of exposure of your personal information, which mail thieves love to steal.

Steps You Need To Take To Protect Your Mail

2008-07-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Use letter slots at your post office to mail letters, or give them to a letter carrier.
Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it overnight, unless you have a locking mailbox.
Don’t send cash in the mail.
Ask your bank for “secure” checks that can’t be altered.
Use a locking mailbox or tell your post office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.

The Hand That Holds The Mailbox

2008-07-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

I have to hand it to ya. I think this mailbox is probably going down as one of the most unique mailboxes on my list. Actually the mailbox is normal, it is the unique stand that sets it apart. The hand almost appears as if it's about ready to fling that poor little mailbox across the street. Most
mailboxes come in a variety of sizes and colors to make them stand out. This one definitely stands out.

This photo was taken somewhere in Massachusetts.

Like This Mailbox?

2008-07-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

I discovered this mailbox while doing a Google search. I guess this could be one way to deter thieves or vandals. It definitely is a very interesting mailbox. The article that was with this picture, said the mailbox was located somewhere in Texas. How would you like to be the mailman that was having to deliver to this address everyday? Wouldn't you be at least a little scared?

Mailbox Crime

2008-07-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Today, "mailbox crime" is at an all time high. Criminals seem to target mailboxes for whatever reason. Destroying mailboxes with baseball bats or bricks can damage a typical mailbox severely. Also mail theft has become a real issue as well. From quality identity safe mailboxes, heavy duty standard mailboxes, to mailbox inserts, you can protect yourself and your mail from vandals and thieves. If your concern is mail theft, purchase a locking mailbox. Or maybe you are concerned about your mailbox being vandalized, a heavy duty mailbox will stand up to a baseball bat. As identity theft continues to grow, Americans are safeguarding themselves and focusing more on securing their identity. A good place to start securing your identity is a new mailbox!

Identity Theft Statistics

2008-07-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Identity Theft Statistics

According to Identity Theft Resources,
Better Business Bureau,
Javelin Strategy & Research

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing consumer crimes in the United States, with an estimated 7 million US citizens becoming victims in the last year. The total costs of identity theft in 2007 surpassed 45.8 billion dollars. Quite expectedly, this is a great concern for the everyday consumer, who is now the primary target for this crime. Identity Theft is a crime that involves identity thieves attempting to steal the personal and private details of others, which are then used for personal gain.

A recent survey from US working-group on credit industry security revealed that an alarming 87% of Americans are unaware of the implications that identity theft can have on your life. You could end up owing hundreds of thousands of dollars from debts accrued from fraudulent applications you weren't even aware of! It could take you years to repair the damage to your credit report and you could even be refused credit cards, loans, mortgages and even bank accounts due to the after effects of fraudulent identity crimes. Identity theft is a growing crime in the United States and can be categorized into four main types.

1. Financial Identity Theft - Financial Identity Theft involves the thief stealing other people's details to generate a financial profit for themselves. This includes making fraudulent loan applications in another's name, attempting to open new credit card accounts or even simply withdrawing funds from an account using stolen details.

2. Criminal Identity Theft - This is also quite a common type of identity theft which is often missed by the authorities when the thief is involved in minor crimes. This technique involves giving someone else's identity when questioned, arrested or prosecuted for a crime by the police.

3. Identity Cloning - Identity cloning is when a thief steals an individuals complete identity. This method involves obtaining vital documents such as passports, driving licenses, social securities etc. This will eventually allow criminals to obtain passports, which can be sold.

4. Commercial Identity Theft - Commercial Identity Theft is a lesser-known type of this crime but is more often a crime of greater seriousness involving larger scale fraud. The thief will attempt to obtain finance using a false or stolen business identity. By nature, businesses are often allowed larger credit facilities.

The most common types of stolen details are of course, credit card and bank account numbers. These are the types we're most aware of and quite simply, these allow the thief to access our financial accounts, which are then either emptied completely or charged with fraudulent purchases. There is nothing more horrifying than checking your bank balance to find it completely empty! However don't panic just yet. As the financial industry become more aware of identity theft fraud attempts, they are constantly improving and upgrading security access for consumer accounts. Unfortunately as the industry is developing new ways to keep criminals out, fraudsters are finding ever more intuitive ways to get their hands on your sensitive data.

One way to protect yourself is to secure your incoming mail by means of a locking mailbox. Sometimes mail sits in a mailbox for a good portion of the day, giving a thief quite a large window of time to steal what he wants. Securing your mail in a locking mailbox as well as shredding the mail you don't want is a very good prevention method to protect your identity.

Identity Theft: What you can, and should do to protect against mail theft.

2008-07-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- On a cool morning last winter, a friend of mine ran across two black plastic garbage bags among randomly scattered mail along the side of the road. "Litterbugs!" she thought at first. But stamped, delivered mail? No Postal Service bags? Some opened, some not? She realized she had stumbled onto something much bigger.

She picked it up and returned home. All of the mail was addressed within a two block area about a mile away. She got the phone book out and began calling those individuals. And local law enforcement authorities.

Mailbox theft. Thieves collect delivered mail (or sometimes outgoing mail) to find out what they can about you. About your identity. Account numbers, Social Security numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers -- enough to open an account somewhere or create a bogus check with your name on it.

They use it themselves or sell it to others. t's a cottage industry and the masterminds may be local or may be a continent away.

Before you put the flag up

Now I'm not suggesting abandoning the United States Postal Service altogether. It does a good job overall and it's a heck of a lot cheaper than FedEx or UPS. You just need to be careful, especially with sensitive mail. And especially if you use a traditional roadside mailbox at the end of your driveway.

Northern California security specialist Defender One offers five precautions:

Consider a locking mailbox. If you live in a community association or among a group of homes, consider installing a locked community mailbox. Or you can also get attractive and functional locking individual mailboxes, offering a slot for the mail carrier to use without a key. Check out offerings from YourSafeMailbox.com.
Use online bill pay. I recently wrote about bill pay as a way to simplify your life, save postage and improve security. But if you're mail is vulnerable, I'd step up efforts to convert. Paying online protects twice -- once for incoming bills and once for outgoing checks. One commentator likened putting mail in a mailbox for a day to putting your most vital information in a shoebox at the curb. Not far from the truth. And about electronic payment security -- it isn't perfect, but it's come a long way. If you're careful, your online payments should be safer than mailbox-delivered mail. "Careful" means, for instance, avoiding transactions on public PCs that may have been tampered with, like in a hotel business center.
Deliver outgoing payments by hand. Unless your mailbox is in sight and you're home all day, you should drop your payments off at a mailbox or the post office. I've been doing this with tax payments for years, but handling the rest this way is not a bad idea.
Get a post office box. A post office box will also do the trick and should be considered if a locking mailbox won't do or if your situation is especially vulnerable. It's usually tax deductible if you run a business or are self-employed.
Always hold mail delivery when on vacation. Even if you have someone taking care of pickups for you that mail can stay in the box for a long time and observant crooks will notice you're gone.

Stealing or tampering with mail is a federal offense. But that hasn't been much of a deterrent so far. You probably take your mail for granted, and have for years and years. Just know that thieves are counting on that. Play it safe, guard your mail with a Identity Safe Mailbox.

Written By Jennifer Openshaw - MarketWatch