Wireless Mailbox Alert - Know Exactly When Your Mail is Being Delivered - Mailbox Notifier

My mailbox is right beside my front door, so I never felt the need for a mailbox alert system until the former tenant that lived here knocked on my door to apparently ask me if any of his mail was coming here while at the same time rifling through my mailbox!!

He had not bothered to change his address, and figured I could simply collect his mail for him.  I let him know in stern language that this was not possible.  Since I work from home, I decided I had to create some kind of mailbox alarm system.

I Discovered Three Ways to Protect My Mail

1.  Lockable Mailbox

It all depends on your situation.  If you are away at work all day or even away for a couple of days and don't want to depend on a neighbor, you can invest in a Locked Mailbox.

Locked Mailbox

With this style, the mailman can still deliver your mail, but it requires a key to get it out. Even small packages can fit in this box. Perfect for rural areas or if yours is further from your house, but you can also use this right up beside your door if you wish.

With so much identity fraud going on, it can be realistic fear and concern to leave your mail for any length of time in the mailbox.  I do like the idea of having to use a key to open it.

2.  Mailbox Alarm

This is the system I am going for.  I am at home 99% of the time when the mail is being delivered.  But it would be nice to be alerted to when he/she actually delivers it as in my area that could be morning or afternoon.

Mailbox Alarm System

With this system, you are alerted when the door or flap is opened, so that you can be there right away. It lets you know with a sensor that is placed in the mailbox lid and then a chime rings in the house.

This can all be adjusted and lets you know right away if someone is at your mailbox.

3.  Door Mail Slot

This would require some DIY, but having your mail sent right through your door and into your house is one of the safest ways to keep you mail safe.

Mailbox Slot

Mailbox Theft

This is a huge problem.  In the old days, I remember my parents would simply get the neighbor to collect the mail if we were away.

If you are gone for a long time, you can get the post office to hold your mail.  This is a good service and worth considering.

Consider Having Your Mail Held or Rerouted

When my parents would travel in the winter, they would actually pay a small fee to have their mail temporarily sent to their holiday destination or rental cottage.

They knew when they would be coming back so they would have an end date on it a day or so before coming home.

Mail is important and holds vital information.  I know many things can now be dealt with online, but I still get products, letters and cards in the mail that I enjoy receiving.  I feel that nothing beats the written word!

I had Not Thought Much About Mailbox Theft Until that Day...

Until the old tenant that lived in this house showed up on the porch rifling through my mailbox like it was still his, I had never really felt the need to alarm or lock anything.

I truly felt violated by him doing this, and he simply shrugged his shoulders and said, "I was only looking for things addressed to me"  Still... it didn't feel right and I know it is actually a violation.

As you can see by the un-secure mailboxes in the pictures, it would be so easy to get into someone's personal mail.

Identity theft was not as big decades ago as it is now, and yet many people do not think to protect their mail.

The above products are a small investment to keep your personal letters, bills and especially credit card statements safe.

It all depends on your lifestyle as to which would work best for you.  But protect yourself!!