Mailboxes are prime targets for identity thieves, who can find sensitive mail like bills and other private documents with little effort. One method of protection that is proven to reduce identity theft is a security locking mailbox.
According to the FTC, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation. Millions of Americans become victims of identity theft each year. One of the many ways criminals steal your identity can happen right at your mailbox. Mailboxes are prime targets for identity thieves, who can find sensitive mail like bills and other private documents with little effort.
It’s not all gloom and doom, though. When you take the right preventative measures, you can easily avoid identity theft. We've included some of our favorite tips for protecting your identity at home:
Opt out.
Get your name out of circulation for preapproved credit offers by contacting the credit bureaus at 1-888-567-8688 or optoutprescreen.com.
Lock up your mail.
If you can’t fetch your mail as soon as it’s delivered, get a locking mailbox. Locking mailboxes have been around for many years, and a high-quality locking mailbox can offer real protection against identity theft. With a heavy-gauge steel mailbox, you don't need to worry about vandalism or thieves. With a locking security mailbox, your mail and small packages are safe behind a locked door.
Or, install a mail chute to prevent thieves from plucking out envelopes that contain personal information. Mail bills from a corner box or the post office. (You can arrange to have your mail held when you’re away by contacting USPS).
Leave your Social Security number home.
Never carry your Social Security card with you unless you know you’ll need it that day.
Watch your wallet.
The stuff in your wallet is a gold mine – and it’s not just the money. Don’t leave purses in grocery cart baskets or set them on the floor without looping a strap around your ankle. Never leave a purse or wallet in an unattended car.
Shred sensitive info.
Shred or tear up documents with personal information on them, including bills and credit card statements, before you throw them away.
Check your credit report.
You’re entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus. (I recommend ordering from a different credit bureau every four months.) When you get your report, make sure accounts listed on your report are yours and that any company listed as having viewed your report had a legitimate reason to do so. To get your free report, visit the official site.
Our #1 tip: Purchase a locking mailbox.
Locking mailboxes have been around for many years, and a high-quality locking mailbox like a Mail Boss mailbox can offer real protection against identity theft. With a heavy-gauge steel mailbox, you don't need to worry about vandalism or thieves. With a locking security mailbox, your mail and small packages are safe behind a locked door.
Locking security mailboxes are a great safety choice for identity theft prevention, but a heavy-gauge steel mailbox is also a smart choice because it will last for a very long time with little need for maintenance. High-quality locking mailboxes can keep you from becoming one of the 9 million Americans each year that are victims of fraud and identity theft.