Expecting something important in the mail today? You might
not be the only one interested in what's delivered. Thieves
have begun to prey on mailboxes in the hopes of intercepting
something valuable, particularly as the holidays
approach.
What are they looking for?
Tax returns and refunds (and documents with personal
information -- e.g. your W-2 or 1099s) -- anything that makes
it easier to perpetrate credit fraud or identity theft.
A Fool reader who works for a firm that makes
high-security mailboxes offered some great tips on preventing
mail theft.
You can monitor whether anyone is messing with your credit
cards (and thereby your credit report and credit score) by
getting a copy of your credit report from all three major
reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com.
Our credit collection features much more guidance and
tips, including info on how to avoid identity theft and how
to dig out from credit card debt. See:
60-Second Guide to Keeping the Bad Guys at Bay
How-To Guide: Stop Credit Fraud and Identity
Theft
What to Do if the Thieves Get You
This article was originally published as
Stop Identity Thieves Before They Stop Youon
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