Protecting Against Identity Theft

Every minute 19 people become a victim of identity theft, making it the fastest growing crime in America. Of these victims, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says the most common forms of identity theft are government benefits fraud (34 percent), credit card fraud (17 percent), utilities fraud (14 percent), and bank fraud (8 percent).

Perhaps even more concerning is the fact that some identity thieves take your personal information right out of your mailbox. According to the FTC, four percent of identity theft cases result from stolen mail, a problem you can protect against by installing a keyless mailbox.

Benefits of a Keyless Mailbox Lock

Identity thieves target your mail since many people still receive cash, checks, bank statements, and utility bills through the postal service. But with a keyless mailbox lock, such as our Combi-Cam combination cam lock, you can rest assured that your personal information is safely secured.

While a keyless mailbox lock is a great way to keep identity thieves from stealing your mail, it can’t protect against all types of fraud. Here are a few other lifestyle changes you can make to further safeguard your identity.

Other Identity Protection Tips

• Shred all documents that contain personal information (e.g. receipts, credit offers, etc.)
• Lock your financial documents in a safe
• Don’t carry your social security card or Medicare card in your wallet or purse
• Destroy labels on delivery boxes and prescription bottles
• Stop prescreened mail offers such as applications for credit and insurance
• Use strong passwords online and never share them with anyone
• Protect your computer using anti-virus software and avoid opening spam emails
• Before giving out your personal information to a workplace, doctor’s office, or school, always verify how it will be safeguarded

You can also protect yourself with LifeLock, a service that monitors your credit and alerts you of suspicious activity. For instance, if someone tries to open an account with your personal information, LifeLock will notify you via text message or email. LifeLock representatives can even help you restore your financial picture and clear your name of fraudulent charges if a thief obtains your credit card.

Repairing Your Stolen Identity

The FTC recommends the following if you become a victim of identity theft:

• Make a request to have fraud alert on your credit
• Check your credit reports
• Contest errors with the credit reporting bureaus
• Reply to all notices from the Internal Revenue Service immediately

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