Preventing Identity Theft?
Find a Conversation
| Sat, 02-26-2005 - 2:31pm |
Now that I've been working so hard to straighten out my debts, I'm getting more concerned about identity theft. We already shred papers, and we take other precautions, but I've heard that mail theft is a problem also. Does anyone here use Post Office Boxes to protect your identity/credit? I am considering renting a P.O. Box at our local post office, depending on the cost, so our bills and personal papers will stay at the Post Office in a locked box, rather than sitting at my curb in an unlocked box. I'm thinking it would give peace of mind during times when we are out of town also. I used to go to the Post Office and have them put a hold on my mail when I know I'll be gone...but I read something on our local news site that said that's not such a good idea because it tells people you will be gone.
Any ideas?
Pat

As I have a locked mailbox on my street I haven't ever thought about getting a PO Box. But I was the victim of identity theft. My wallet was stolen and inside were my credit cards,check book and social security card (normally don't carry it but I had just started a new job). Although I was able to cancel everything the bounced checks came up in my name and new credit cards were taken out in my name. It was a huge paperwork nightmare and the police were very little help. It has been about 12 months since I completed the last of the paperwork but I still have to monitor my credit report in order to keep tabs on it.
So, in light of what I have been through I would suggest that you do whatever you need to in order to keep things safe. I am not sure how to get a locked mailbox on your street... maybe you could call the post office about that as a possible option if others in your neighborhood also wanted it? Anyway, sorry for getting on my soapbox - just keep your information secure!
All my best,
Danni
"So, in light of what I have been through I would suggest that you do whatever you need to in order to keep things safe. I am not sure how to get a locked mailbox on your street.."
I'm sure I could suggest something like this to our Homeowner's Association. At the moment, we all have matching posts and mailboxes in our neighborhood. They have to be 6x6 wooden posts, painted white, with black rounded-top black boxes....every box matches. In fact, when one of our neighbors hydroplaned and ran into our mailbox post (breaking it into 3 sections), we were told we would be fined $40 a day if we did not have a matching post put up within 30 days. What they failed to realize is that these posts have be specially made. LOL!
As far as access to our mailbox, our HOA delivers it's newsletters in person by just opening everyone's boxes and putting the newsletter in. We frequently get people who come by and thumbtack notices to our mailbox posts about housecleaning, window cleaning, painting, etc. So on any given day, there are many people who get close to our boxes and could just as easily open them and take things out. People tuck flyers in our mailbox flag all the time. Two years ago, there was a large amount of mail from various homes found in a heap near our neighborhood tennis courts....and another time, a man was seen jogging in our neighborhood. On his way back to his jeep, parked at the entrance to our neighborhood, he reached inside of two mailboxes (not mine fortunately) and stole mail and then ran to his jeep and drove away. So mail theft has happened in our neighborhood before...although it has been some time since the last occurences.
I have already opted out of credit card offers, although Capital One hasn't seemed to get the message yet. I still get lots of pre-approved offers from them....sometimes more than one a day! LOL! :-D
I think I'll go and ask our post office about the pricing. Dh and I had one when we were preparing to move from MD to GA back in 1994 (didn't want to lose any mail in the move), and I think, at that time, it was around $20 for 6 months. I'm sure that has gone up, though.
Pat
Thanks Danni!
I'll have to look into this. I don't think I'm ready for online billpay just yet, but if I could just get the statements delivered online and then send a normal check payment, that would be great. I'll check into it.
Pat
All my best,
Danni