Did you know that over 10 million Americans a year fall victim to identity theft? Did you also know that one of the more popular methods of stealing someone's identity involves mailboxes? Across the country, there are over sixty million mailboxes, all unlocked, and all possessing at one time or another sensitive information that can leave you vulnerable. What happens in the result of mail theft…your credit could be ruined; you have to spend hours rectifying the situation; there could be thousands charged to your various accounts.
Some eye-opening facts regarding mail theft and identity theft in this country:
- Only about 35% of those who've been victimized are aware of it.
- 1 in 20 are victims of such theft each year.
- Most people don't know their mail's been stolen and so it doesn't get reported.
- ID theft is increasing at a rapid rate across the country.
What Can You Do To Prevent Mail Theft?
Below are some things that you can start doing now to help deter mailbox thieves who might be targeting you.
Watch for patterns. Sometimes a piece of mail or two may get lost; however, if this is a repeating occurrence then it may be time to start looking more closely at your mail. Also, check your credit report to see if there is any new fraudulent activity.
Alert the post office if you do notice such patterns emerge. Let them know that you may suspect mail theft and ask if they've heard of anyone else plagued by such a problem in the area.
Be suspicious of any change of address alerts. One popular scam is to file a change of address form with your local post office and this way the mail is diverted to the thief. The post office will send you a letter to confirm any address changes.
It's about being smart and staying vigilant. The last thing you want is to be a victim of identity theft, and your mailbox, believe it or not, really does leave you susceptible to such a crime.
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Are you ready for greatness? First Union Lending is here to help you achieve your financial goals.
Let's Do this together!
Are you ready for greatness? First Union Lending is here to help you achieve your financial goals.