Financial Answer Center

Identity thieves often access private information via "dumpster diving" at your place of residence, workplace, or businesses where you have conducted transactions. They also may go through your mail. Keep paperwork out of identity thieves' hands with these measures.

• Don't let mail sit in your mailbox. If you're going to be away for more than a day, put in a hold mail request with the U.S. Postal Service.
• Keep track of your receipts. Ask for receipts in retail stores, restaurants, and medical offices, particularly if you use your credit card. Use them to match transactions with your account statements. Dispose of receipts properly, preferably by shredding them.
• Tear up or shred old receipts, credit card offers, account statements, expired credit cards, health insurance EOBs, and any other paperwork that has your personal information printed on it.
• Don't have new checks mailed to your home, especially if they will sit in the mailbox until you get home from work. Have them sent to a local bank branch so you can pick them up.
• Talk with your landlord, employer, healthcare provider, and others who store and access your personal information to ensure they are keeping it safe.

Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers
Opt out of pre-approved credit card and insurance offers by calling 1-888-567-8688 or visiting optoutprescreen.com. This service is operated by the three credit reporting agencies. If you choose to opt out, you won't receive credit card offers--but you will also keep them out of the hands of identity thieves.