Identity theft in rural areas

Today's paper carried an article about identity theft being on the rise in rural areas.  One of the reasons for this rise is the roadside mailbox.   Many areas still utilize the roadside mailbox.  In a rural setting the mailbox may be quite a distance away and blocked from view.  Often they can be placed in a central cluster to make it convenient for your postman, this also makes it convenient for identity thieves.

Your mail carries quite a bit of information identity thieves love to get their hands on.  Bills, bank statements and the ever popular pre-approved credit card offer all can give a thief what he needs to take over your life.  Your outgoing mail is just as dangerous.  After all a lot of people write a check, put it in the envelope provided and slap on a stamp.  Now the thief not only has your account information from the statement, he has your banking information too.  That's what you call a double whammy!

Add to that the fact that these rural mailboxes have a built in signal that cannot be mistaken, the red flag.  You think you are telling the postal carrier "Stop here I have mail"  but what you are really saying is "Identity thieves, help yourself".  This is why Identity Theft Risk Management specialists advocate having a post office box and placing all outgoing mail in a blue USPS mailbox. 

Remember that "junk" mail can be just as dangerous as as your regular mail.  Your address by itself can lead a thief to your name using the proper search materials.  Reverse directories such as the Polk Directory has listings organized by street name.  Your name will be listed under your address.  A quick online search and $50 later the thief has everything he needs to become you.

If you live in a rural area, retire that roadside mailbox and invest in a post office box, it will be much safer and if it prevents you from falling victim it will more than pay for itself for years to come.