| Identity theft is becoming a growing threat in the | | | | Often, you may not even discover that the |
| United States today. Most homeowners don't | | | | envelope is gone for several weeks, if you ever |
| ever think about this, but the mailbox in front of | | | | do. |
| their home is one of the most vulnerable areas | | | | If you find yourself receiving a lot of mail with |
| when it comes to identity theft. Not only can | | | | personal information, there are steps you can |
| thieves steal sensitive financial and identity | | | | take to limit your exposure to identity theft. Many |
| documents, but they can also learn an awful lot | | | | mailing lists have an 'opt-out' feature. In addition, |
| about the occupants of the home. By going | | | | your bank and utility companies may offer online |
| through the contents of your mailbox, a burglar | | | | bill-pay so that you can bypass the step of |
| could learn that you've recently purchased | | | | receiving a bill in the mail. Such steps can limit the |
| electronics through the mail and booked your | | | | amount of junk mail you have to throw out, as |
| summer vacation, both of which can be used | | | | well as limiting the personal information available to |
| against you. All it takes is for a thief to beat you | | | | thieves. |
| to the mailbox by just a few minutes to wreak | | | | Not only should you be cautious about what |
| havoc on your life. | | | | you're receiving in the mail, but you should also |
| These days, nearly everyone receives a constant | | | | take the necessary steps to protect the box |
| stream of junk mail, often including personal | | | | itself. Most mailboxes sold today do not have the |
| information. Credit card applications are among the | | | | best security features. If you're in an area that |
| most notorious of these mailings. In addition, you | | | | gets a lot of traffic, or you think someone might |
| probably receive credit card statements, bills, and | | | | be stealing your mail, you might want to consider |
| other important documents. If you're like most | | | | a locking mailbox for added security. Install extra |
| people, you simply expect this mail to be there | | | | lighting, and make sure your mailbox is not next |
| when you open your mailbox, and never give a | | | | to a bush or other convenient hiding spot for |
| thought to the possibility that it has been | | | | criminals who want to go through your mail. A P.O. |
| intercepted by thieves. | | | | Box can be another way to ensure that your |
| All that a criminal needs in order to successfully | | | | personal information isn't in your mailbox, just |
| steal your identity are a few of your personal | | | | waiting for the first thief to walk by. |
| documents. Even just a single credit card | | | | Many people forget that home security extends |
| application can be enough for the savvy identity | | | | all the way to the street, where their mailbox is |
| thief to charge thousands of dollars in your name | | | | sitting. The next time you check the mail, stop to |
| using fraudulent accounts. The information needed | | | | think about the security of your mailbox and just |
| to steal your identity can easily be found by | | | | how much personal information comes with the |
| criminals who get to your mailbox before you. | | | | mail you've just received. |