Stealing wallet or checkbook

1. Consider purchasing a locking mailbox. Never leave outgoing mail in an unsecured mailbox; take it to a mailbox or post office.
2. Remove delivered mail promptly. Have a trusted neighbor or friend pick up mail if you're going to be gone for a day or two. Call the US Postal service at 1-800-275-85777 and request a hold if you're going to be on vacation for a longer time.
3. Buy a cross-cut shredder. Destroy all charge receipts, doctor bills, insurance forms, bank statements, credit card statements, checks and credit card offers. In addition, destroy all junk mail and paperwork that has your name, address, phone number, e-mail address or signature.

The Attorney General for the State of Washington recommends the following:

What should you shred?

In short, destroy all sensitive information including junk mail and paperwork that includes:

• Account numbers
• Addresses
• Birth dates
• E-mail addresses
• Names
• Passwords and PINs
• Phone numbers
• Signatures
• Social Security Numbers

Below is a list of specific items you should shred:

• Address labels from junk mail and magazines (Also destroy the order form usually located in the center of catalog that may have private information)
• ATM receipts
• Bank statements
• Birth certificate copies
• Canceled and voided checks
• Credit and charge card bills, carbon copies, summaries and receipts
• Credit reports and histories
• Employee pay stubs
• Employment records
• Expired credit and identification cards including driver’s licenses, college IDs, military IDs, employee badges, medical insurance cards, etc. (If your shredder can’t handle plastic, cut up cards with a scissors before discarding them.)
• Expired passports and visas
• Legal documents
• Insurance documents
• Investment, stock and property transactions
• Luggage tags
• Medical and dental records
• Papers with a Social Security number
• Pre-approved credit card applications
• Receipts with checking account numbers
• Report cards
• Resumés or curriculum vitae
• Signatures (such as those found on leases, contracts, letters)
• Tax forms
• Transcripts
• Travel itineraries
• Used airline tickets
• Utility bills (telephone, gas, electric, water, cable TV, Internet)

Look for additional information at www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/idprivacy

4. If your shredder can't handle plastic, destroy all expired cards by cutting them into many pieces before discarding.
5. Have your name removed from mailing lists that send out pre-approved credit cards and/or blank balance transfer checks. Call 1-888-567-8688 to have your name blocked or make a request online at www.optoutprescreen.com.
6. Remove your name by contacting the Direct Marketing Association. This trade group of telephone and mail marketers will remove your name and address upon request. Write to: Mail Preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008. You can also make the request online at www.dmaconsumers.org. There may be a $5.00 fee for making your request online, but there is no charge for registering by mail.
7. Report any mail theft or unauthorized change of address immediately to your local postmaster as soon problem is detected. File a complaint online at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

Finally, visit McDonaldServices.com on a regular basis for updated information and new strategies.