General Identity Theft Advice
Shred everything: Open all mail and read it carefully—even the items that might appear to be junk mail could contain personal offers. Any items with personal information, such as pre-approved credit offers, bank statements or utility bills should be shredded before being discarded.
Know what’s in your wallet: Avoid carrying important information around with you (PINS, Social Security number etc) in your wallet or purse. These numbers can pose a significant threat to you, and should be stored (if needed) in a safe and protected place.
Bank Statement: Always check your bank statements. This regular checking of your bank statements is always good practice anyway; if you spot anything that looks a dodgy, immediately contact your bank or building society.
Also if your bank or credit card statements fail to arrive at their expected time, contact the company right away – these could have been intercepted in the post and could be used against you.
Joint Access: If you live in a property where other people could have access to your mail then you need. In some cases a bank or credit card company could arrange for you to collect valuable items such as new plastic cards or cheque books from a local branch.
Home Moves: If you move house, immediately inform your bank, card issuer and all other organisations that you deal with immediately. Ask your mail provider to redirect any mail from your old address to your new one for at least a year.
