Epoch Design showcases MailBoss mailboxes in Chicago

Epoch design received an enthusiastic reception from dealers at the recent Orgill Dealers Market in Chicago, August 14-16. Representatives from Epoch Design were swamped with new dealer inquiries and orders from attendees.

Not only were dealers attracted to the superior quality, value, and profit potential of the MailBoss locking mailbox, they were also excited about the benefits of partnering with a proactive company that is willing to promote the success of brick and mortar hardware and home improvement stores. A great deal of interest centered on the web based store locator feature which guides consumers by zip code to the nearest dealers. In this way Epoch is able to help build traffic to participating stores offering a win-win partnership.

All in all the Orgill show was a tremendous success with over 30 dealers signing up to participate in the opportunity.

Dear John,

We just received our upgraded lock and it was easy to install. Also, we just love our Mail Boss locking mailbox. When our neighbors had their mail stolen from their locking mailbox, we did some research and decided to spend the money on a truly secure mailbox. We are so happy with our decision.

So, we just wanted to drop you an e-mail to tell you thank you for the great product. And, we appreciate the stellar customer service at Mail Boss. It is a rare thing these days!

Best,

Kathy & Dale B.
Portland, OR

Newspaper Holders now available for mounting to MailBoss mailboxes

Mail Boss is pleased to introduce the new Mail Boss Newspaper Holders, now available for purchase. This new mailbox accessory easily and conveniently attaches to your curbside MailBoss mailbox with an innovative 14-gauge steel mounting bracket.

Receive your daily newspaper in style, safe from the wind and weather. The Newspaper Holders, made of 16-gauge galvanized steel with a durable and attractive powder-coated finish, are a stylish addition to your security locking mailbox.

Just $49 with shipping, the newspaper holders are available in black, granite, white, or bronze to match your curbside mailbox.

Thousands of Americans escape from the area every day to explore the open road. In today’s travel planning, taking the extra steps to protect yourself and your home is essential prior to your departure.

There are many common things that can go wrong while you are away, so make sure to cover all the basics and secure your home before leaving it unattended.

Here are 16 Ways to Secure Your Home:

1. Secure important papers and valuables. Use a personal safe or lock box, or invest in renting a security box from a local company to safeguard any essential valuables that cannot be replaced.
2. Review your insurance coverage. Check insurance policies for home, auto, and life. Keep a copy of your insurance papers with your important papers.
3. Tell trusted neighbors your travel plans. Alert trusted friends and neighbors to your vacation. Aware community members are the easiest way to help protect your home if they know that you will be gone.
4. Check your windows. Make sure that all windows are closed properly and that valuables are not visible from the outside of your home.
5. Hire a housesitter. This can be a personal friend or a professional. Maintaining your home (plants, animals, etc.) and protecting it by giving the appearance of being occupied is easily accomplished by hiring a local responsible teenager or using a housesitting service.
6. Don’t tell the world your plans. Do not advertise your vacation with people you are not personal friends with. One of the biggest mistakes of going on vacation is bragging to the wrong people at the wrong time (before you leave). Save your vacation stories for after you have returned.
7. Secure your mail. If you do not have a secure locking mailbox, either invest in one or put mail on hold. The post office will hold you mail for a specific time with a simple request. However secure locking mailboxes with high capacity can simplify the process if you are consistently traveling.
8. Install automatic timers for your lights. Most home improvement stores carry a variety of digital timers that can turn on at random or programmed intervals. Lights create the illusion of an occupied residence.
9. Leave your car in the driveway. This too creates the illusion that there are people home. Just make sure not to leave a garage door opener in your vehicle.
10. Secure the garage entrance. Lock your garage door externally and internally. Garage doors are created with a mechanism that can be forced open from the outside.
11. Leave a key with a friend or neighbor. A trusted individual can double-check your property or be available in case of an emergency.
12. Document your valuables. The easiest way to do this is by photographing or taking video of each room, with a quick shot of any specific high-value items. Store the information somewhere else (security box at the bank, family members house, etc.). In the event of loss, this will help you file an insurance claim and make sure you didn’t forget anything.
13. Mark your valuables with an Operation ID number. Your local police department probably has a pamphlet on this process. You can engrave or etch your drivers license number on to valuables. If stolen and later recovered, police can track you down through the department of motor vehicles.
14. Start a community watch and look out for your neighbors. Everyone goes on vacation, and this is an easy opportunity to establish a good-faith relationship with your community and enhance your overall safety and security.
15. Turn off all appliances. Don’t forget to unplug them. This will minimize the risk of an electrical fire.
16. Forward your home phone number. Direct incoming calls to your cell phone (or to a family member) to answer calls while you are away.

Finally: Create a departure checklist for each family member traveling. Include items on this list, but also include important conversations with children and teenagers to make sure that they are not advertising your absence with the wrong people.

I just don’t understand. The more I read and hear about identity theft, the more I see that a very large portion of this huge problem stems from mail theft. Yet, very few people out there advise the public to use a secure locking mailbox.

Is there some sort of conspiracy going on in the government and the general media to withhold information regarding how to protect yourself from identity theft? Is the United States Postal Service (USPS) trying to prevent consumers from using other means of communication and transport of documents? These government and media entities advise you to shred sensitive information you receive from your mailbox. Why wouldn’t they advise you to buy a security locking mailbox? Are thieves more likely to rifle through your trash or simply walk by and steal incoming/outgoing mail from your unsecured mailbox? I don’t know which method you would choose, but I would choose to keep my hands clean rather than risk my hand getting stuck in a dirty diaper or used tissue. As my 4 year old son would say “NAAAASSSSTY!”.

Why do people who have knowledge that mail theft happens all the time, in every nook and cranny of our country, not just take the jump, do a little research, and buy a secure locking mailbox? I know why. It is the same reason that you put off fixing that leaky toilet, or finishing that “To Do” list. We are all inherently lazy to one extreme or another. Sure, we get bursts of energy and get some things done, but we never really get caught up. “Installing that mailbox this Saturday doesn’t sound like fun to me”! Waah! Get over it and protect yourself before you have to put in serious time and money that identity theft will cost you.

What if I told you that you could literally install the Mail Boss Security Locking Mailbox on a pre-existing post or gang plank in less than 10 minutes? It’s true! With our Fast-Trak^TM Mounting Plate that comes with every curbside MailBoss mailbox, installation is a snap! And your MailBoss comes with EVERYTHING you will need except the drill used to make the holes in order to mount it to wooden structure. Yes, it comes with the drill bit, the reflective numbers, the lag bolts… it’s all included!

Now that you know this, is it something you want to keep on your “To Do” list? I think not!

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is the most reported form of fraud. Identity theft and mail theft go hand-in-hand. While identity theft can involve the Internet and world wide web, most criminals don’t rely on technical savvy to steal personal information. They simply look for lost wallets, burglarize mailboxes, or dumpster dive for improperly disposed of records.

In 2008, Javelin Strategy & Research held a survey online to monitor trends in identity fraud. One of the important focuses of the survey was identifying how identity theft was initially accomplished: Of the 35% of victims who knew how their information was taken, more than 75% said it involved a physical method (lost wallet, stolen mail, burglarized mailbox, etc.) while only 14% indicated online methods (phising, e-mail scams, etc.).

“Criminals don’t have a bias toward technology. They will use any channel that works,” said James Van Dyke, president of Javelin Research.

To protect themselves against identity theft, consumers need to understand effective (and simple) methods of protection. Some strategies include using free anti-virus software on your computer, purchasing a locking mailbox, and maintaining awareness of best security practices.

Here is a list of ways to help protect yourself against mail and identity theft:

1. Buy a cross-cut paper shredder. Shred any financial and personal documents to ensure that your information is not accessible when you throw it away. Sensitive documents include old billing statements and pre-approved credit applications. Also, shred credit card receipts as some merchants print your information on them.
2. Protect your clients. If you work in a business that creates documents, take the responsibility to protect your clients by destroying documents before discarding them. For a business, identity theft can be just as damaging as personal identity theft.
3. Be aware of your Credit and Debit cards. “Number Thieves” sometimes use cell phone cameras to take a record of your number while you’re using it at grocery stores or restaurants. An easy method of protection is to lay your card face down while waiting for the bill.
4. Be aware of incoming mail. If you request a new credit card or identification in the mail, make sure to keep track of when you receive it. If you do not see the card in an appropriate time-frame, contact the issuing organization and have it canceled and resent. If you suspect your mail has been stolen, contact the USPS immediately and consider purchasing a locking mailbox.
5. Close unused accounts. Do not keep open credit cards that remain unused and unmonitored. If you do not intend to use a card, cancel it.
6. Use smart passwords. Put passwords on all your accounts. Make sure not to use common or easy to guess passwords that include your mother’s maiden name, your date of birth, etc. Best to make up an easy-to-remember but difficult-to-guess fictitious word.
7. Hold businesses & institutions accountable. Confirm how your personal information is stored and protected by businesses you interact with. Ask financial institutions, doctors’ offices, etc., what they do with your private information and ensure that it is stored with security and sensitivity, and disposed of properly.
8. Do not carry unneeded information on your person. Remove excess credit and ID cards from your wallet or purse. Do not carry any information you do not need and use on a daily basis.
9. Protect your social security number. Confirm why your social security number is needed on any application, and how that information is used and protected after you release it to someone.
10. Be cautious on the phone. Do not give out your personal information over the phone if you do not recognize the business you are dealing with. If you feel any sense of doubt, ask for a number and contact information for the person requesting the information and contact them to provide only the necessary information.
11. Do not put telephone numbers on you checks. If a business requests a phone number, use discretion, and write it in the notes section of the check on a case by case basis.
12. Opt for photo cards. Request banking and credit cards that include photo identification.
13. Be safe shopping online. Do not store your credit card number on shopping sites. It may seem secure, but you may accidentally release your password to a site without knowing it and give away your credit card information at the same time.
14. Use custom ID numbers. Most identification groups (health care, insurance, etc.) can utilize a different identification number instead of your social security number. Using a custom identification number reduces the number of people who have access to your social security number and personal information.
15. Monitor your banking and credit card statements. Check line items (and those darn monthly charges) to make sure that you have authorized all the charges on your account. Contact your banking institution immediately if you notice anything suspicious.
16. Check your credit every six months. You can gain a free copy of your credit report during most credit application processes (credit card applications, mortgage, car financing, etc.). Review your information carefully.
17. Keep your computer secure. Utilize password options and do not store financial data on a mobile computer (laptop, PDA, phone). If you do need to store sensitive data, encrypt the information with the proper software.
18. Secure your home. Store personal information at home in a secure location, preferably a locking file cabinet or personal safe.
19. Don’t use the same passwords. Be sure that all of your utility accounts and financial services have DIFFERENT passwords. If one account has security breached, it will prevent all of your accounts from being hijacked.
20. The Next Step: Ordering Your Credit Report. The three major credit bureaus have current toll-free phone numbers for ordering credit reports.
    • EXPERIAN: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
    • EQUIFAX: 1-800-685-1111
    • TRANS UNION: 1-800-888-4213

If you think you are the victim of identify theft, ISSUE A CREDIT FREEZE. A credit freeze disables your credit file, requiring extra verification to open new accounts or access personal information. Typical credit freezes last 90 days. You can request a credit freeze by contacting any of the three credit agencies above.

Hi John,

I just want to say thank you. I bought your MailBoss and it was more than I expected. You guys did a real nice job on it. It’s strong as heck, and I will highly recommend this to my neighbors and friends.

John, It’s not often that I give reviews either, but when I opened the box and looked at your mailbox I said to myself, man these people mean business. It truly is very well thought out and secure mailbox. The Fast-Trak is a great idea. I like that you taped the screw holes… I was expecting you to use sheet-rock screws. Trust me, you will be seeing more sales. I am putting a youtube video together to show my installation of your MailBoss mailbox.

Thanks again, I am really happy with it.

Nice job and thank you,

Jason
Connecticut

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing today to say thanks and express how much my neighbors and I like your Mail Boss. Many of my neighbors have had some sort of mail theft occur in the recent past, so we got together and decided to do something about it. We did our research and found that nothing was as secure as the Mail Boss, including boxes that cost twice as much. We all decided to purchase our own Mail Boss and we had them all installed in only a few minutes. The value of the Mail Boss is far more that the cost. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Elya B.
Portland, OR

To the folks at Mail Boss,

I just want you folks to know I did a lot of research and shopping around before buying a locking mailbox. I am just so pleased we got the MailBoss. Love it!! Its a real mail security vault. We decided on the white with the matching in-ground post and its just beautiful. It took me only about 10 minutes to get it all set up, including the post! Excellent quality, finish, nice and big, and heavy.

We travel often and its so nice to know our mail is safe in this great product. Thank you for making this simply outstanding mailbox!!!

George M.
Dallas, TX

Mail Boss competitors fail to provide mail security

If you are like many Americans, you may have resorted to buying a locking mailbox to prevent your mail from getting into the hands of mail identity thieves. You know that a secure locking mailbox can help protect you from the epidemic of identity theft, but you may not know that most locking mailboxes are not secure.

If you already have purchased a locking mailbox, I am sure you believed you were protecting yourself against mail and identity theft when you forked out a hefty hunk of change. The sad reality, however, is that the majority of locking mailboxes are not secure and leave you vulnerable to criminals.

In this video, we demonstrate the inferior quality and security of some of our competitors’ locking mailboxes. These locking mailboxes, ranging in price from $80 to $200+, do not provide mail security and cannot provide real protection against mail and identity theft. They can be “fished” by hand or opened with very little force by hand or with a screwdriver in just seconds.

1. Curbside MAILSAFE^TM by Solar Group, a Gibraltar Industries company

The first locking mailbox featured in this video is the Curbside MAILSAFE^TM by Solar Group, a Gibraltar Industries company. This mailbox retails for under $100 and is a popular locking mailbox featured in the big-box stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. The Solar Group touts a “Concealed locking access door for easy mail retrieval” in their MAILSAFE product description.

As the video clearly shows, the MAILSAFE^TM certainly allows for easy mail retrieval. An average sized man quickly and easily retrieves mail by hand via the incoming mail door in just seconds. Then, a man of average strength rips off the mail door by hand. This mailbox is made of plastic and is not worth its weight in junk-mail in terms of the security it provides.

Security Inadequacies:

• Can be fished by hand
• Can be pried/opened by hand
• Can be pried/opened with a screwdriver

2. Oasis Jr.^TM by Architectural Mailboxes

The second locking mailbox featured in this video is the Oasis Jr.^TM by Architectural Mailboxes, “America’s Leading Manufacturer of Premium Mailboxes”. The Oasis Jr.^TM can be purchased online for $145-$160 depending on shipping and handling costs; if you want reflective house numbers that will cost you an additional $30-$60.

For the bargain price of $175-$220, this mailbox features “an innovative oversized patented Parcel Delivery Door which allows for delivery of small parcels and mail bundles,” purportedly “keeping items secure until the box is unlocked.” As this video shows, however, the reality is that this hopper style incoming door accepts small to medium size parcels, and also accepts fishing hands. Watch as an average size man retrieves a small parcel from this mailbox in less than 10 seconds. Additionally, the Oasis Jr.^TM can be pried open with a screwdriver in just seconds (video to come, results shown in photo).

The consequences of these security inadequacies could be devastating. This high-capacity “security” mailbox provides homeowners a false sense of security, which could cause them to leave their mail (just as vulnerable to thieves) much longer than they would otherwise in an unlocked box.

Security Inadequacies:

• Can be fished by hand
• Can be pried/opened with a screwdriver

3. Pinnacle Locking Mailbox^TM by Pinnacle Mailboxes, a Davis Tool Inc. company
The third and final locking mailbox featured in this video is the Pinnacle Locking Mailbox^TM by Pinnacle Mailboxes. The Pinnacle^TM can be purchased online for approximately $160 including shipping and handling. Pinnacle Mailboxes states in their product description that this mailbox can hold 1-2 weeks worth of mail and is made to keep anyone from seeing what’s inside your mailbox.

“The Pinnacle accepts a full bundle of mail in one motion and has one of the largest drop chutes of any mailbox in its class allowing even a phone book to pass through. The Pinnacle Mailbox can keep several days of mail while security flaps keep incoming mail secure. Only you have the key.”

Unfortunately, you don’t need a key to get into the Pinnacle^TM. As you can see in the video, it takes about a second to get into the Pinnacle Mailbox^TM with a common screwdriver. As with the Oasis Jr.^TM, this presents a tremendous opportunity for thieves to exploit unknowing Americans who leave days of mail vulnerable in their “security” mailboxes.

Security Inadequacies:

• Can be pried/opened with a screwdriver

Take Home Lesson: the value of a locking mailbox

Many people think that simply having a locking mailbox will be enough to deter a mail thief. As long as there are other unlocked mailboxes, just the sight of a locked mailbox will cause a thief to move on to an easier target. While this may be true to some extent, the reality is that more and more people are purchasing security mailboxes, and the number of unlocked “easy” mailbox targets is dwindling. In the meantime, thousands of people with locked mailboxes of inferior quality have become victims of mail theft. See, for example, this story.

The reality is that no mailbox is 100% theft proof. What everyone needs is a security mailbox that can successfully deter would-be identity thieves. How do you prevent mail theft? Buy a heavy duty, quality security mailbox like the curbside Mail Boss that takes a lot of TIME to violate. If a thief has to stand in front of your mailbox for 20 minutes with a crow bar and a blow torch, the odds are he will move on to an easier target to avoid being caught.