Just because it's paper doesn't mean it's safer

  • Lock your mailbox. Don’t leave mail in your box longer than necessary, especially if it does not lock.
  • Have the post office hold your mail when you're on vacation.
  • Monitor mail closely. Take immediate action if bills do not arrive as expected or if you receive unexpected credit cards or a mysterious account statement.
  • Don’t give out personal information in surveys. Surveys, both online and offline, can be dangerous if they ask you to provide confidential information.
  • Safeguard your Social Security Number. Don't publish it on checks, public documents, or social media. Keep your SSN card in a safe place at home.
  • Shred bills, bank statements, and other confidential letters and documents before discarding them. See other ways to safely destroy sensitive documents.

One way to check if someone has stolen your identity is to regularly monitor your credit. Take advantage of your free credit report offered through Credit Score and review it for accuracy or unexplained changes in your credit score.

 

icon: stopwatch showing 5 minutes  Learn more about protecting your identity and the steps to take if your personal information is stolen in this .