The Texas Society of CPAs reminds us that there is more to identity theft than just online information tampering.
Tried and true identity theft techniques
Here at Auto Credit Express, we are constantly reminding our customers that they need to exercise caution when it comes to sharing their personal information online. But a recent press release from the Texas Society of CPA's reminds us that we need to be careful of our offline habits, as well.
Here are three tips from TSCPA to help you guard against offline identity theft:
Tip #1: Do away with pre-screened credit card offers.
You see junk mail, thieves see an opportunity to raid your finances. You can opt out of receiving pre-screened credit card offers by calling 1-888-5OPTOUT.
Tip #2: Check your credit report regularly.
Order a free credit report at least once a year from each of the three credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Just go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228. You can space it out to get one copy of your credit report every four months and review them carefully for any unauthorized address changes and new accounts that you didn't open.
Tip #3: Treat mail with care.
Don't put bill payments in your home mailbox for pick-up by the mail carrier. Instead, drop them off at the post office. Or, consider installing a locked mailbox at your residence or using a post office box. If you're going out of town, be sure to contact the U.S. Postal Service and request a vacation hold on your mail.
The Society also has more prevention tips, as well as a compilation of online resources, at its web site: www.ValueYourMoney.org
