Consumer Information
Staten Island DA Says “Lock Up Your Mail”
New York ID Theft Ring Steals Mail, Nets Over $5 Million The New York Times reports that a Staten-Island based identity theft ring was charged this week with gaining access to the personal and financial information of over 200 victims, in a complex fraud scheme that netted over $5 million dollars. The 26 charged are…
Read MoreProvincetown Banner warns “Identity theft on the rise”
Well, we’ve been saying it for awhile here: Identity Theft is on the rise! To prevent identity theft, you need to understand how identity theft happens, and take certain steps to secure your personal information and protect your good name. This article in the Provicetown Banner does a good job of covering the basics: how…
Read MoreOther Locking Mailboxes: The Oasis Jr®
Lacking in Security: Vulnerable to Fishing, Prying by Mail Thieves In Other Locking Mailboxes: Part I, we showcased the Curbside Mailsafe, the Oasis Jr.®, and the Pinnacle locking mailboxes. For a refresher or to watch the video, go here. The quick summary: The above mentioned “locking” mailboxes, ranging in price from $80 to $200+, do…
Read MoreNew York Times Calls Oasis “Secure”
On Sunday, the New York Times ran a feature story on Architectural Mailboxes and specifically, the Oasis® Locking Mailboxes. It praised the company for innovation in providing a solution to a growing problem, and highlighted their locking mailboxes as a secure option for homeowners concerned about identity theft. Specifically, the article stated (emphasis added): “What…
Read MoreIdentity Theft Up 12% in 2010
According to the 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report (preview here) by Javelin Research, identity theft is on the rise. The number of identity theft victims rose 12% to a record 11.1 million in 2009, up from 9.9 million in 2008, and 8.1 million in 2007.
While losses and subsequent consumer costs have decreased due to increased protections, the overall number and percentage of ID theft victims continues to rise. As indicated in the graph above, 4.8% of Americans, or about one in 25 adults, were victims of identity fraud in 2009.
Read More5 Easy Steps to Preventing Identity Theft
… Recent research indicates the majority of identity theft is happening the old-fashion way, with information stolen from wallets, purses, trash, and unlocked mailboxes, not via ‘high-tech’ online cyber methods. If you follow these five easy steps, you will be well on your way to doing what you can control to prevent identity theft …
… However, beware that a low quality locking mailbox with a bubblegum lock is not going to keep mail thieves’ hands off your sensitive personal information. To protect your mail and your identity, you at least need a quality locking mailbox made of heavy-guage steel that can’t be fished by hand or pried open with a screwdriver…
Read MoreBeckley, WV: Mail Thief Arrested
More mail identity theft – See below for our thoughts, take home message According to WVNS-CBS 59, city police in Beckley, West Virginia have arrested mail thief Amanda McKinney and charged her with forgery in a mail theft scheme. The story states that McKinney stole mail from her victims and fraudulently cashed checks she found.…
Read MoreLocking Mailbox a Modern Day Necessity
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US, and almost 10 million Americans are victimized each year. Criminals are using predominantly low-tech methods to get their victims’ information, such as stealing wallets or mail, either from the garbage or your mailbox. The fact is, if you have an old-fashioned mailbox, you are very vulnerable to identity…
Read MoreLink Love: SafeGuard ID
SafeGuardID Learn to protect your own Identity. We teach you how to do what is necessary to protect your own Identity. We also set up reminders to help you keep on top of things. Simple, easy, and more effective than having other companies do it.
Read MoreMail Security in Multi Unit Housing
[Originally featured in Condo Management magazine] Condominiums and multi-unit housing are often at greater security risk than single-family homes, in part because criminals prey on these facilities, and in part because residents must rely on their boards or managers to provide for much of their security. When boards and managers seek to secure their multi-unit…
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