If the box is owned and maintained by the US Postal Service and is damaged/broken then contact your local Post Office. If the LPO does not service the mailbox, this means the property owner or manager is responsible for the maintenance.
Mailboxes are protected by federal law and crimes against mailboxes (and the mail inside) are investigated by Postal Inspectors. Those who are convicted of destruction of federal property could spend up to three years in jail and be fined up to $250,000.
It should be noted that because mail theft involves the government-run U.S. Postal Service, it is also a federal crime under Title 18, U.S. Code 1708. Therefore, California's mail theft statute refers directly to this federal law for its definition of mail theft.
Will Mail Still Be Delivered If The Mailbox Is Broken? The short answer is no, you will not receive mail if your box is damaged or broken. The USPS will inform you that your mailbox is unserviceable and thereafter they will hold your mail at the local post office for 2 weeks.
Losses are charted by the Postal Inspection Service to identify problem areas and assist Inspectors in tracking down thieves. Report suspected mail losses to Postal Inspectors by calling 877-876-2455 or at www.uspis.gov.
Generally, when you have a broken mailbox, the USPS will inform you that your mailbox is unserviceable. They will hold your mail at the local post office for two weeks while you or the party responsible handles the repairs, and you can pick up your mail there in the interim.
If you have information on mailbox vandalism or mail theft in your area, report it to your local Post Office™ or to the Postal Inspection Service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
A general mailbox is often the first point of contact for personal and sensitive information, making it a prime target for thieves.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) strictly enforces regulations regarding mailbox use. Unauthorized materials placed inside mailboxes can result in fines up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations. More severe cases, particularly those involving fraudulent intentions, can lead to imprisonment.
Your cost will vary, but according to Yelp, a customer should expect to pay around $100 for a mailbox locksmith. Assuming the customer is within your service area, they should expect to pay a substantial fee for the trip charge. The parts and labor involved in a mailbox lock service is generally on the low side.
Notify your local police. Place your mail on hold if needed, until you repair or replace your box.
Postal Inspectors recommend these actions to protect your mailbox and any mail that may be inside it: Immediately report theft, tampering, or destruction of mail or mailboxes to your Postmaster at 951.656. 9720 or 800.275. 8777.
If your mailbox was damaged in an act of vandalism: File a police report; if the guilty party is caught, you will be awarded compensation as per a court sentencing verdict. You may also want to find out if your homeowners insurance covers this type of vandalism by speaking to your insurance agent.
A residential mailbox costs around $12 to $900, while a mail slot costs $25 to $325. It depends on the mailbox type and material. You can buy mailbox kits in construction, home improvement, and hardware stores. You can also get fully assembled mailboxes and those with locks and keys.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
Under federal law, illegally interfering with someone else's mail is considered a felony.
Postal Inspectors investigate these crimes and arrest thousands of mail and package thieves each year. Still, there are extra steps you can take to ensure your mail arrives safely at its destination.
If you wish to complain that someone has breached the Postal Service Act by opening your mail, this is something you will need to make a complaint to Police about.
Mail Theft
Or call USPIS: 1-877-876-2455.
Other structures coverage comes standard with most home insurance policies and covers structures on your property that are not attached to your house, like fences, a detached guest house, detached garages, mailboxes and sheds.
While the USPS sets specific standards and regulations for mailboxes, the homeowner or property owner owns the physical mailbox. This ownership provides the freedom to select the design and location of your mailbox, provided it follows USPS regulations.
You can file a report for theft of letter mail or a package without a tracking number by selecting "Where is my mail?" at USPS Mail Theft Report. If there's no evidence of mail theft, you can still report the break-in and place your mail on hold via USPS Hold Mail.
Curbside Mailboxes
If a homeowner's curbside mailbox has been severely damaged to the point where it can no longer safely contain mail, he or she is responsible for repairing it. The homeowner must repair the damaged mailbox. Otherwise, the USPS may not service it.
Not having a proper mailbox is a violation and the unit is considered uninhabitable according to CA law.