Question about preventing identity theft...?

Question

Lately I have been going through every piece of mail and shredding any junk mail with my name and address on it, including ripping the labels off of magazines, catalogs, etc. prior to throwing them away or putting them in the recycle bin. Is it worth it to do this to prevent identity theft or am I wasting my time?

Answer 1

If you don't like shredding everything, burn it.

I have a can by the front door. After getting the mail, any junk mail or stuff with my name on it, goes into that can. Then at the end of the week (when we have a weekly BBQ ) I have plenty to burn.

Answer 2

Keep doing it. It will worth every second. I do the same for receipts and any kind of information that carries my name, address or part of credit cards numbers.

A good hacker only need your name and address to make your life credit a mess.

Do what you need to do and use your good sense.

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http://www.dollartoolbox.com

Answer 3

Think of it like insurance.You might not need to do it but if you don't do it and somthing happens you would be sorry.

Answer 4

YES IT IS WORTH IT .....IT IS ONE WAY TO REDUCE THE CHANCES....BE SURE TO WIPE OUT INFO ON PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES AND OTHER THINGS THAT YOU WOULD NOT THINK OF....YOU CAN HAVE A CREDIT CARD MONITOR YOUR CREDIT FROM ALL THREE CREDIT REPORTING COMPANIES FOR A SMALL MONTHLY FEE..IF ANYONE OPENS CREDIT IN YOUR NAME THEY WILL NOTIFY YOU RIGHT AWAY....KEEP SHREDDING!!

Answer 5

The number one source of identity theft is a stolen wallet and the second is information taken from the trash.  So yes, it is worth it to shred your junk mail.