Do You Need a Locking Mailbox?

You Need a Locking Mailbox | Atlasta Lock and Safe Company

Should you install a locking mailbox at your home or business? What can this simple change add to your security? If you decide on a more secure mailbox, what should you look for?

This blog will discuss answers to your questions about a locking mailbox. 

Why Get a Locking Mailbox?

Many people pay little attention to the mail they put into and receive out of their mailboxes. However, these envelopes and packages can be a security risk.

Think about what you collect from the mailbox every day. Many items include names and addresses of residents, including minors. Your business can receive customer checks, forms with credit card information, or personally identifiable customer data.

Do you buy or sell expensive items? What about sentimental mail from grandparents, adult children, or your old pen pal? Would you be upset to lose them? 

Thieves continue to hone their techniques, and “check fishing” and “check washing” are growing more rampant. Thieves — sometimes in organized networks — fish mail out of public and private mailboxes, using various methods to strip checks of their handwritten data and then add their own information. They then take your checks to banks and cash them, causing endless problems for you and other account owners. 

What Should You Look for in a Locking Mailbox?

If you decide to invest in a locking mailbox, then may want to know what to look for. First, you should ensure that you purchase a mailbox made with durable materials that are not easily broken or damaged. Locking styles come in plastic as well as sturdier metals. The former can be tampered with more easily than the latter, even with simple tools like a screwdriver. 

Next, you should look for a unit that prevents thieves from reaching in to get your mail out of the slot. This means a relatively narrow slot and flaps with angles help prevent direct access to your mail. Many buyers also look for baffle doors to minimize gaps. 

However, while security is the main point of locking mailboxes, you will want to weigh its suitability for your purposes. What types of mail do you generally receive? A business might receive much larger and bulkier mail than a residence complex, for instance. This means you need a wider flap or perhaps a high-capacity commercial mailbox. You should achieve a balance between theft prevention and practicality. 

What Are the Limits of Locking Mailboxes?

No security measure is 100% effective at preventing all security issues. Determined thieves and vandals can still damage your mailbox with enough time and determination.

Your best defense against this is to choose high-quality materials, like galvanized steel, which slow down the process and makes it more challenging than other nearby choices. Vandals and many thieves may look for crimes of opportunity, so you should deny them a convenient opportunity. 

The other main concern for mailbox owners is the lack of protection for outgoing mail. Although there is little way around this problem — as the mail carrier must be able to reach and retrieve outgoing mail —you should make your locking mailbox part of a larger security plan to protect your mail. You should include exterior locks, cameras, and motion sensor lights, and use virtual options when feasible. 

Where Can You Learn More?

If you are ready to upgrade your mailbox to a locking style, you can start by learning more about these devices and how to install them for the safest results. Meet with Atlasta Lock and Safe Company today.

With our expertise and guidance, you will soon have a more secure place to send and receive mail. With a wide array of other security services, our team can help you with all your security needs. Call today for an appointment.