The lock everyone forgets
Because this ZIP exists for mail, this page covers the lock people forget until the key is gone: the mailbox. Home mailboxes, wall-mounted boxes in apartment buildings and cluster box units all use small cam locks, and those can be replaced.
Lost your mailbox key?
A locksmith can open the compartment and fit a new lock with new keys. It's a short job, and it matters: a mailbox that won't lock invites mail theft, and stolen mail is where a lot of identity fraud begins.
Who owns which lock
- Your own curbside or wall box: yours to change.
- Apartment mailbox banks and cluster boxes: the customer compartment lock usually belongs to the property owner or HOA, so expect the locksmith to ask for their approval.
- The master lock that lets the carrier open the whole unit belongs to the Postal Service. A locksmith shouldn't touch it; contact the post office.
What to have ready
ID showing your address and, for apartments or HOAs, the manager's OK. Note the box number and, if you can, the brand stamped on the lock face.
Moving in?
Change the mailbox lock along with the door locks. Previous residents rarely hand over every mailbox key, and some never knew how many copies existed.
Mailbox security habits
Collect mail daily, especially before a trip, or ask the post office to hold it. If a mailbox lock looks scratched or the door doesn't sit flush, report it to the property manager and have the lock checked. When you change the lock, label the new keys clearly and give a spare to someone who can collect parcels while you're away. A locked mailbox you can't open is only a little better than an unlocked one you can.
