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Technology Stocks : Identix (IDNX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: steve who wrote (25876)	4/18/2004 10:55:55 PM
From: steve	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 26039

Modesto, Calif., Firm's High-Tech Mailbox Could Help Ward Off Identify Theft April 18, 2004 4:35pm Knight-Ridder / Tribune Business News Apr. 17--Identity theft is a growing threat to all consumers, law enforcement and government officials agree. A 2003 study for the Federal Trade Commission found that nearly 10 million people a year are falling victim to identity thieves. They use stolen Social Security numbers and other personal information to fraudulently acquire valuables, even buying cars and homes. In other cases, they simply empty the unsuspecting victims' accounts. Now, a Modesto company has developed a product that could make identity theft more difficult by ensuring one common source of personal information -- your mail -- doesn't end up in the wrong hands. Energy Tech Labs of Modesto has built what it considers a more secure mailbox. Called the "Mail Vault," it replaces the standard box on a post in front of a house. Mail goes into a slot at the top of the vault, but doesn't come out -- at least not without the proper combination, its designers say. Energy Tech officials said they came up with the idea for a more secure mailbox after reading numerous stories about mail thefts. "We know there is a market out there," said Ray Engel, president and chief executive officer of Energy Tech. The vault's many features include: --A curved chute on the top allows mail to be dropped in but prevents thieves from fishing it back out. --The box has red and green exterior LED lights to indicate when mail has been dropped off by a carrier. --The safe isn't revealed until an exterior door is pulled open. The safe has a touch keypad to enter the combination and open the safe. --Up to six different combinations can be programmed into the safe to allow for different users to gain access. Modesto police Sgt. Dave Sundy said the vaults could be a good deterrent to mail theft for homes that get direct delivery. "It's unfortunate that our society has come to a point where we need safes for our mail," he said. According to the U.S. Postal Service, there were 1,131 cases of mail theft reported in Northern California last year. Of those cases, 932 were thefts from mailboxes in front of homes. Post office officials said they are intrigued by the Energy Tech vault. "We are interested because the post office has an ongoing problem with mail theft," said Robert Miceli, an account manager for the Postal Service in Modesto. "One of the neat features is there are no exterior nuts and bolts on it, so you can't disassemble it," Miceli said. Engel, Energy Tech's CEO, said he's also seen a lot of interest in the vaults from consumers. "I put one up in front of my house a few months ago, and I've had at least 10 perfect strangers knock on my door, asking where they can get one," he said. On Monday, 20 Save Mart and FoodMaxx stores will display and sell the Mail Vaults. The company's list price for the vaults is $399.99, but come with a $100 discount coupon when purchased through Save Mart or Food Max, Engel said. In June, County Bank also will display and sell the mail safes, Engel said, because the mailboxes are a good way to prevent the theft of credit cards and checks while homeowners are at work. The Mail Vault isn't the only security device built by Energy Tech. The company recently added a wall safe to its line of products. Called the "Wall Vault," it has a high-tech twist -- the door lock is released by the scan of a fingerprint instead of a combination. This prevents children from gaining access, especially important if guns are stored inside. However, adults can get the weapons out in six seconds by just scanning their index finger, according to Energy Tech. The Wall Vault is expected to hit the market later this year. Energy Tech Labs was founded 20 years ago as Fanfi International. Engel said Fanfi stood for "find a need and fill it." "We look for opportunities and then build a product around it," he said. Besides safes, the company makes shower heads and lighting products. hoovers.com steve