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