Do you travel often? If so, you should know that identity theft is something you should be concerned about. When you travel, you are not checking your mail box at home. If there is a letter in there that a thief can get, it will give them valuable information about your identity and that’s how identity theft can happen. Here is some crime prevention for travelers tips that can help you to avoid this:
- Use a Lock: While you are traveling, consider attaching a lock to your mailbox that prevents someone from being able to open it. All you need to leave open is the tiny slot in which the mail person can slide in the letters that you receive.
- Rent a P.O. Box: If you travel often, then a P.O. box is something that you should definitely consider. This is because when you travel often, it can become obvious to a potential criminal, especially if they see you leaving your home with bags often and that your mail usually becomes piled up, as well.
- Go Paperless: If you pay bills online, consider letting the company know that you would prefer for them not to send bill statements in the mail. You will still receive the information that you need, but online, which is safer than having this sensitive information sitting in your mailbox while you are away.
- Don’t Use the Red Flag: If your mailbox at home has the red flag on it, then take it off, or purchase a mailbox that doesn’t have one of these. This indicates that you have mail in the box, and makes your mailbox easily becomes a target for thieves.
- Move Your Mailbox: If your mailbox is currently closer to the street then your home, there is a higher chance that identity theft is possible. If the mailbox is closer to your front door, then a thief isn’t likely to walk up there to steal your mail.
Being away from home often requires more attention to home security than you may think. After all, you will not want your home to easily become broken into while you are away.
