| These days it is becoming increasingly common | | | | and especially if they are in remote areas |
| to see people suffering from identity theft. | | | | just from a safety standpoint. |
| It has become a huge business for thieves and | | | | |
| con artists all over the world. | | | | Get all of your checks delivered to your bank |
| | | | - not to your home address. |
| If it has never happened to you, trust me you | | | | |
| don't want it to. These people who specialize | | | | Do not put checks to pay bills in the mail |
| in stealing identities can run up charges on | | | | from your home mailbox. Drop them off at a |
| your credit cards, empty your bank accounts, | | | | U.S. Mailbox or the U.S. Post Office. Mail |
| sell off investment portfolios and have the | | | | theft is common. It's easy to change the name |
| funds transferred to offshore accounts, and | | | | of the recipient on the check with an acid |
| ruin your credit almost overnight. | | | | wash. Another thing you can do to guard |
| | | | against this type of theft is buy a better |
| So, how do you protect yourself from this new | | | | mailbox. There are many mailboxes now that |
| crime threat? I have gathered a few tips for | | | | only allow the postman to drop mail in the |
| you that will give you a good start to | | | | box and only the owner can access it. These |
| guarding against identity theft. | | | | extras steps require some time and effort on |
| | | | your part but they are well worth it. |
| One of the easiest things that one can do to | | | | |
| help prevent identity theft from people going | | | | When you order new credit cards in the mail, |
| through your garbage is to buy a cross-cut | | | | or your previous ones have expired, watch the |
| type shredder. Shred all your important | | | | calendar to make sure that you get the card |
| papers and especially pre-approved credit | | | | within the appropriate time. If it is not |
| applications received in your name and other | | | | received by a certain date, call the credit |
| financial information that provides access to | | | | card grantor immediately and find out if the |
| your private information. Don't forget to | | | | card was sent. Find out if a change of |
| shred your credit card receipts as well. | | | | address was filed if you don't receive the |
| These shredders can be bought now for under | | | | card or a billing statement. Cancel all |
| $50. | | | | credit cards that you do not use or have not |
| | | | used in 6 months. Thieves use these very |
| Be careful at ATM's and using Phone Cards. | | | | easily - open credit is a prime target. |
| "Shoulder Surfers" can get your "Pin Number" | | | | |
| and get access to your accounts. Another | | | | By following these tips and avoiding sending |
| thing is to be careful when pulling up to an | | | | personal information and checks from your |
| ATM and watch out for people in the area. I | | | | home mailbox you can go a long way in |
| also suggest not going to ATM's late at night | | | | preventing identity theft. |