How to Discourage Mail Theft in a New Neighborhood or Community

If you're developing a new neighborhood or residential community, you might be wondering what precautions you can take to protect residents from mail theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), approximately 400,000 Americans have their mail stolen in any given year. For residents, mail theft isn't just frustrating; it poses a risk to their credit and reputation. After taking a resident's mail, a thief may steal his or her identity, using the resident's Social Security number and other personal information to open new credit cards. As a developer, though, there are a few ways you can discourage mail theft in a new neighborhood or residential community.

Choose High-Quality Mailboxes

Using low-quality mailboxes may increase the chance of mail theft by projecting your new neighborhood or residential community as low-hanging fruit. When thieves stumble upon cheap or degraded mailboxes, they'll assume the area isn't well monitored, in which case they'll feel more confident stealing mail. By investing in high-quality mailboxes, such as those offered by Forsite, you'll create a safer neighborhood or community while discouraging would-be thieves from lifting mail.

Display the Label 33 on Mailboxes

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers self-adhesive labels warning against the theft, vandalism and tempering of mail. Known as Label 33, you can typically obtain them for free by visiting a local USPS post office. Placing one of these warning labels on each mailbox will deter mail theft and other forms of criminal activities.

Consider CBUs Instead of Curbside Mailboxes

Perhaps the most effective way to protect against mail theft in a new neighborhood or residential community is to use cluster box units (CBUs) instead of traditional curbside mailboxes. Unlike curbside mailboxes, CBUs have locked compartments. A typical CBU has a few dozen individual compartments, each of which is used for a specific unit's mail. Because the compartments are locked, thieves won't be able to steal mail out of them -- not without physically breaking into them, at least.

Illuminate With Outdoor Lighting

Whether you choose curbside mailboxes or CBUs, you can further reduce the risk of mail theft in your new neighborhood or residential community by illuminating them with outdoor lighting. Mail thieves often lurk in the dark where they are less likely to get caught. By installing outdoor lighting around your CBUs or curbside mailboxes, you'll create a brighter environment that naturally deters mail theft.

About Forsite:

Welcome to Forsite! You’ve found your best source custom street signs and community wayfinding signs. We manufacture and install upscale site amenities throughout the United States.

Forsite can provide all of your signage needs for your Master Planned Community or  Residential Development. We help our customers to create a uniform, upscale appearance and increase property values by "bundling" themed packages of decorative street signage, mailboxes, post and wall mounted lighting, and wayfinding signage

You can count on the experts at Forsite to help improve the quality of your community today. Contact us today to get started by talking to one of our experienced team members at 855-537-0200.