If you pay your monthly bills by check, think twice then think twice again before you put that envelope out in your unlocked and unprotected mailbox for pickup.
It may be picked up, but it may not be the mail carrier.
The mailbox is a magnet for identity thieves, not only does the envelopes contain account numbers, but the check used to pay the bill contains your routing number.
The result will be this new accounts for which you have no knowledge of, a wrecked credit history, hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to clean up the mess.
To thwart identity thieves take these steps: 1) When and if possible Use Online Bill Pay:You can do this either through yoour personnal bank account if your bank offers it or through your credit card companies.
You should pay all monthly bills online as long as you have take the appropriate protections such as a personnal firewall and anti-key-logger software installed on your computer.
Such security software packages are offer through Symantic and Norton.
Another advantage to online bill payment is that you will be able to monitor your credit card accounts between monthy statements.
2) Shred "preapproved" credit card offers:This is important because most people think that it is dependent on an application and credit verification.
That is not so.
Use a shredder that provides a crosscut confetti syle.
This cuts the the paper into little pieces and makes it impossible to put back together.
You can stop receiving preapproved credit offers by calling 1-800-5-optout or visiting optoutprescreen.
com.
It is also a good idea to shred all monthly bill statements after paying online.
The goal here is to minimize opportunity.
3) Keep track of new accounts:First and foremost don't apply for a new credit card through the mail as previously mentioned.
If you need a credit card apply for one online, once you have been notified of your acceptance, record the date and expected arrival time.
If a week passes and you have not received the card, call the credit card issuer.
You need to act quickly and responsibly, if you don't it can cost you.
4) Subscribe to a identity protection service:A protection service like Life Lock can make it almost impossible for a thief to take advantage of you.
It is worth the look.
There are a lot of companies that provide this service.
Do your research to make sure the company you choose will fit your needs.
People are busier today than ever, and thieves know this.
So the key here is to treat your personal matters responsibly.
It may be picked up, but it may not be the mail carrier.
The mailbox is a magnet for identity thieves, not only does the envelopes contain account numbers, but the check used to pay the bill contains your routing number.
The result will be this new accounts for which you have no knowledge of, a wrecked credit history, hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to clean up the mess.
To thwart identity thieves take these steps: 1) When and if possible Use Online Bill Pay:You can do this either through yoour personnal bank account if your bank offers it or through your credit card companies.
You should pay all monthly bills online as long as you have take the appropriate protections such as a personnal firewall and anti-key-logger software installed on your computer.
Such security software packages are offer through Symantic and Norton.
Another advantage to online bill payment is that you will be able to monitor your credit card accounts between monthy statements.
2) Shred "preapproved" credit card offers:This is important because most people think that it is dependent on an application and credit verification.
That is not so.
Use a shredder that provides a crosscut confetti syle.
This cuts the the paper into little pieces and makes it impossible to put back together.
You can stop receiving preapproved credit offers by calling 1-800-5-optout or visiting optoutprescreen.
com.
It is also a good idea to shred all monthly bill statements after paying online.
The goal here is to minimize opportunity.
3) Keep track of new accounts:First and foremost don't apply for a new credit card through the mail as previously mentioned.
If you need a credit card apply for one online, once you have been notified of your acceptance, record the date and expected arrival time.
If a week passes and you have not received the card, call the credit card issuer.
You need to act quickly and responsibly, if you don't it can cost you.
4) Subscribe to a identity protection service:A protection service like Life Lock can make it almost impossible for a thief to take advantage of you.
It is worth the look.
There are a lot of companies that provide this service.
Do your research to make sure the company you choose will fit your needs.
People are busier today than ever, and thieves know this.
So the key here is to treat your personal matters responsibly.
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