Here's How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by Identity Thieves Who Steal Your Mail

Nevada RNformation, May 2006

* Call your credit card company and ask to be removed from convenience check mailings. Most will do so. If they won't, cancel your credit card and do business with another company.

* If you get them, shred or cut them into tiny pieces before tossing them out in the trash. In fact, shred as much of your mail as possible to prevent thieves from obtaining personal information. Stealing trash at the curb is another favorite means of identity theft.

* Don't leave your mail sitting in the box for long periods of time.

* Consider getting a lock box for your mail that lets the letter carrier put mail in but requires a key to be removed. They're available at hardware stores.

* Open and review your credit card statements as soon as they arrive. To avoid liability, federal law requires that you notify your credit card issuer in writing of any unauthorized charges within 60 days.

* Contact your local post office immediately if mail is missing or if you receive no mail for more than a day or two.

* Don't put your paid bills in the mailbox for the carrier to pick up. Thieves look for the little red flag signifying outgoing mail. It's better to drop off your outgoing mail at the post office.

For more information on protecting yourself against identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft page at www.consumer.gov/ idtheft.

If you think you are a victim, call the FTC's ID Theft hotline: 877-438-4338