| Everyone at one time or another has either joked | | | | move on your part. |
| about or heard a joke about “Dumpster Diving”. | | | | · If your bank returns your cancelled checks destroy |
| Usually it refers to someone scavenging for food or | | | | them immediately. Most banks don’t return |
| behind a store to see what they have thrown out. And | | | | cancelled checks anymore, there was a time they did |
| everyone has heard of someone finding something of | | | | and if you still bank with one of those who still do its |
| real value in the trash. Personally I’ve seen | | | | best to shred them as a precaution. It will also prevent |
| someone on the Antique Road Show showing off a | | | | anyone from knowing your bank account number. |
| painting they found this way, only to be told it’s | | | | Monthly checking account statements |
| worth some extraordinary amount of money. | | | | The account information on your monthly statement |
| This article is not about that kind of buried treasure but | | | | can be used to print counterfeit checks to drain your |
| another kind that most people have been guilty of | | | | account. Identity theft is so common that a smart thief |
| throwing out; the most personal things that contain | | | | can make an identity card with your name/address |
| information about you that in the wrong hands can | | | | and their picture and use that to open a bank account |
| cause you an awful headache, otherwise known as | | | | and write bad checks on the account. Because your |
| Identity Theft. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime | | | | name is the one on the check it will appear that you |
| wave in the United States according to the FBI and | | | | are the one writing the check. You may not find out |
| the US Postal Service. The US Postal Service says on | | | | about it till you try to write a check at the grocery |
| their site that identity theft from stealing mail from your | | | | store and are told that they won’t accept your |
| mailbox is not a big problem but it does happen. So if | | | | check. |
| you have something to mail that contains your SS | | | | Stores use a check-guarantee company to get |
| number or a credit card bill that has your number on it, | | | | reports on checks that a bank sends back stamped |
| they recommend that you take it to the Post Office | | | | NSF. This service helps merchants identify customers |
| and put it in a secure box. | | | | who are passing bad checks and minimize their losses. |
| Monthly Credit Card Statements | | | | The check-guarantee companies also protect the |
| You are probably thinking, why would anyone go | | | | customer. When you notify the bank of stolen checks |
| through someone’s stinky garbage? It’s what | | | | they alert retailers for you. |
| they find if they go through enough garbage that | | | | Utility Bills |
| keeps them coming back. If they find your personal | | | | One of the things a “dumpster diving thief” will |
| information that is legible enough to read, that’s | | | | look for is the bottom portion of your utility bills that |
| reason enough. If they get lucky enough to find your | | | | says “Retain for your records”. This part of the |
| credit card statement that will give them enough | | | | bill will have your name, address and account number. |
| information to re-invent you for their own usage or sell | | | | Utility bills, telephone water, garbage and electric bills |
| it to someone else. One credit card statement is worth | | | | are used as proof of an address when opening a |
| more than gold. With this information they can buy | | | | bank account. The identity thief can put all these to |
| anything they desire. And best of all, they will never | | | | good use. Be sure to shred them before discarding |
| have to pay for it. In most states, you are not | | | | them. |
| responsible for fraudulent charges to your card | | | | Cell Phone Bills |
| provided you report it immediately when you receive | | | | Cell phone bill can be used the same way as a utility bill |
| your receipt. | | | | for opening a bank account. The bottom portion has |
| Before you discard your statements here some tips to | | | | your name, address plus your cell phone number. Most |
| protect your credit from thieves. | | | | people discard these after paying the amount owed |
| · When you write your checks for payment to the | | | | but should be shredded. In the wrong hands they can |
| CC company don’t write the full account number | | | | cause a lot of headaches. |
| on the memo line of your check. Only put the last 4 | | | | Remember: If you don’t shred, it isn’t dead! If |
| digits, that’s all that is required, the company knows | | | | you are careful not to leave anything lying around you |
| the rest of the numbers. It’s just a precautionary | | | | can’t be hurt. Everybody is vulnerable. |