There are many ways that you can protect yourself from identity theft, but two of the easiest ways are to securely dispose of and store your documents.
Documents you should always shred:
- Any document with your bank account number or credit card number
- Prescreened credit card offers
- Receipts
- Voided checks
- Expired or closed bank or credit cards
- All bills and statements
- Insurance documents
In addition to shredding all of the above named documents, you should also be mindful of the documents that you carry with you outside of your home. Unless you are going somewhere that you need the following documents, they should always be left at home: additional credit cards, checkbooks, social security card, passport, birth certificate or other identifying information other than your driver’s license. Make sure that you leave the items in a secure place in your home, or get a safety deposit box at your bank so that you can securely store them there.
By following these simple steps, you can help secure your identity and personal credit information.