| Thieves out there want to be you, learn how to | | | | Don't let mail sit on your mailbox unprotected. If |
| stop identity theft with these tips. | | | | you can, get a self-locking mailbox to prevent |
| Sam drops the last of his already paid bills into the | | | | people stealing mail your carrier has just delivered. |
| trash. Down the street, a neighbor watches while | | | | Don't leave mail to be taken back by the carrier |
| Sam puts out the trash. | | | | either. Instead, drop it off at your post office. |
| Two weeks later, Sam is notified that loans, | | | | That extra ten-minute drive could really save you |
| credit cards and bank accounts have all been | | | | from years of trying to clean up your credit. |
| opened in his name! Sam could spend the better | | | | Do you have a paper shredder and use it |
| part of two years trying to clean up the mess | | | | religiously? Its best to shred anything you think |
| created by this theft. He may also have to work | | | | you are going to throw away. This includes mall |
| for many years after this to re-establish his | | | | receipts, gas bills etc. What about those credit |
| credit. | | | | card applications that you toss away? Remember, |
| Don't let this happen to you. Identity theft is a | | | | anything and everything could leave you |
| growing problem but is easy enough to prevent. | | | | vulnerable. Don't take chances; take action to |
| Prevention is the key as it is extremely hard to | | | | prevent your identity from being stolen. |
| clear up the mess at a later date. | | | | Taking Identity Theft Seriously |
| Questions: Do You Protect Your Identity from | | | | If you worry about what your credit report says |
| Thieves? | | | | and if your identity might have been stolen, |
| Think of all your daily purchases. Do you throw | | | | contact a credit repair professional. They can help |
| away the receipts in the store? | | | | you find out what your credit report says about |
| How many bills do you pile up in your home | | | | you, explain your options and get you back on |
| office? What do you do with them when you're | | | | the right track. |
| finished? Throw them away in the trash or do | | | | Do you call your bank the moment you suspect |
| you remember to shred them? | | | | your bank account number may have been |
| What about those credit card applications you | | | | compromised? The same thing should be done for |
| leave in the mailbox for the mail carrier to take? | | | | your credit cards as well. The sooner you contact |
| It takes just one sheet of paper with the right | | | | the right people, the faster you'll be able to get |
| information on it and your identity could be stolen. | | | | things fixed. |
| Just one sheet of paper can mean the difference | | | | Most importantly, you should use a credit repair |
| between protection and vulnerability. | | | | service to keep an eye on your credit score. This |
| Do you leave mail in your car while you shop? Do | | | | service can keep you informed on a regular basis |
| you expose your pocket book while waiting in line | | | | and contact you if anything strange crops up. A |
| at the cash register? Thieves do a number of | | | | credit repair professional is someone on your side |
| things to try and get credit card numbers, bank | | | | and standing in your corner if things should go |
| account information and more. | | | | wrong. |
| The best prevention method for protecting your | | | | Remember the key is to watch what you throw |
| identity from theft concerns keeping track of | | | | away and also be aware of your credit score. If |
| receipts, bills, applications and any other important | | | | you pay attention to these two points you will be |
| financial documents. | | | | well on your way to protecting yourself from the |
| Preventing Identity Theft By Watching Your | | | | problems associated with identity theft. |
| Trash | | | | |