| Last year, an estimated 10 million Americans were | | | | nuisance? Absolutely. An appalling waste of trees |
| the victims of identity theft. Although the Internet | | | | and time? Check. A danger? Possibly. |
| has always been linked to incidents of stolen | | | | Junk mail can be a real threat to mail security. |
| passwords and credit card numbers, about five | | | | Even though most of us just want to dump it in |
| percent of identity theft cases start with stolen | | | | its rightful place in the garbage can, it's important |
| mail. Mailbox security is an important part of | | | | to dispose of junk mail carefully. Many identity |
| keeping your identity yours. | | | | thieves find their targets by "dumpster diving," an |
| Raising a Red Flag | | | | unsavory - not to mention unsanitary - way of |
| Mailbox security is also an essential part of | | | | getting their hands on all of those pre-approved |
| protecting yourself financially. And it's a part that | | | | credit card applications. |
| many Americans take for granted. Think about it: | | | | The Paper Shredder: Your New Best Friend |
| you write a check to pay your electric bill, put it in | | | | The best way to make sure that your mail is |
| the envelope, and place it in the mailbox. You raise | | | | secure is to shred unwanted documents. |
| the little metal flag, letting your mail carrier know | | | | Insurance paperwork, bank statements, unsolicited |
| that you have outgoing mail. You are also | | | | credit card applications - run these items through |
| announcing to the world that you may have | | | | the shredder before disposing of them. You'll be a |
| something interesting and personal in there. Like a | | | | lot safer. |
| thumbtack in a map, a raised mailbox flag lets | | | | Some Helpful Hints for Mailbox Security: |
| thieves know where to go next. | | | | Â-Invest in a heavy-duty locking mailbox. |
| A few numbers are all a thief needs. Your | | | | Most of these are built to withstand the worst - |
| checking account number. Your social security | | | | the strongest of them can withstand baseball |
| number. A check with your name and address. It | | | | bats, firecrackers, and rocks - and they are an |
| doesn't take much. The best way to keep your | | | | effective deterrent for would-be mail thieves. |
| outgoing mail secure is to take your mail to a | | | | Â-Don't leave mail in your mailbox |
| post office and drop it into the box. | | | | overnight or on the weekend. Don't let your mail |
| But I Pay All of My Bills Online! | | | | pile up. Thieves pay attention and are more likely |
| You may be a savvy web surfer who began | | | | to steal from a mailbox that isn't checked |
| receiving your bills and bank statements | | | | regularly. |
| electronically a long time ago. But think about your | | | | Â-Review your credit reports and bank |
| Aunt Ruth - the one who still has a rotary phone | | | | statements carefully. Report anything that looks |
| - she's probably not quite ready to go paperless. | | | | suspicious. |
| Mailbox security is especially important to older | | | | Â-Beware of mail solicitations that offer |
| people, who often end up the victims of identity | | | | you rewards. Especially if they ask for personal |
| theft. | | | | information like credit card or checking account |
| It is important to exercise caution when mailing | | | | numbers. |
| anything of a personal nature. Never leave your | | | | Â-Remember that mailbox security is |
| outgoing mail in your mailbox. It only takes one | | | | everyone's concern. Taking the attitude of "it |
| crook to ruin your life and your credit. | | | | can't happen here" is the first step to victimization. |
| You May Already Be A Victim!!!! | | | | Make sure your mail is secure, no matter where |
| Junk mail. The average American receives about | | | | you live. |
| forty pounds of the stuff every year. A | | | | |