When someone steals your identity, they could apply for and receive a loan, a credit card, or even a bank account, and you could become liable. In order to help keep your identity safe, here are five personal documents you should always destroy when you no longer need them:
1. Old driver’s licenses. Shred these thoroughly; it would be relatively easy for identity thieves to use this to leech off your finances.
2. Passports. Shred your old passports, and keep your current ones safely locked away.
3. Bank statements. One of the old identity theft tricks is for them to steal bank statements from mailboxes and then apply for an address change, followed by a lost card request. Then guess what? That fraudster has a new card they can use to shop on your dime.
4. Travel documents like boarding passes. These documents contain a lot of personal information, and they clearly state when you’re going to be away from home, which leaves you even further at risk.
5. Contracts. Contracts also include a lot of personal information, so destroy them once you’re finished with them.
If you have questions about this topic or anything to do with real estate, please feel free to call, text, or email. We’d love to help you.
