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One man's trash is another man's treasure, this used to be a popular saying for items bought and sold on Ebay. Now these few words could so easily apply to burglars, con-men and identity thieves.

Slowly over time people are becoming more aware of the importance in shredding valuable items like financial papers and personal details. However so many other pieces of mail are being thrown out despite containing information that a thief can use to your disadvantage.

To start with you may think you are careful with any correspondence you receive from your bank, but what did you do with the envelope? The sender's name and address is there for all to see; now the thief knows who you bank with. Obviously he knows where you live. Junk mail, do you shred it? It is personally addressed to you and most companies now address you by your first name.

Are you out at work all day and leave in the morning before the mail arrives? Thieves have been known to contact banks and request a statement to be sent to your home address. For this kind of enquiry banks do not always go through their security checks, after all you are only requesting a letter to be mailed to you.

The following day unbeknown to you the thief is awaiting your mail delivery, at your front door he collects the mail direct from the carrier and he now has your details. Before you get home your account is empty. It is that simple and frightening.

Another ruse is to discover something like a utility bill, with this in hand as proof that they live in your house; some thieves will call out a locksmith on the pretence that they have locked themselves out and need the door opened. Once in your home you lose all your precious belongings.

These people going through your papers are not all master criminals looking to steal your identity; even small time crooks are using these resources to their advantage now.

A thief will use your trash like a puzzle, celebrated a birthday recently? Do not throw out your cards, he now knows the month, a friend may have written a joke about old you are. The year you were born. And so it goes. Thinking of a vacation? Be extra careful not to throw out any hints as to when you will be away or even who you are arranging your trip with. A few phone calls using the couple of tips he has already collected from your trash, can produce more information than you realise is possible.

For added protection it is advisable that you purchase a shredder that cross shreds rather than the strip style and learn to shred everything, all your mail and documents are vital to your total privacy. We must be extra vigilant to ensure the safety of our personal finances as well as our homes and belongings.

Learn more about this author, Lucy May.
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