Comments on: Credit card offers.is it safe to toss the entire envelope into the trash?

By: lisa s

lisa s — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:40:01 +0000

Shreader ……………. $18.95 walmart

.
Treatment for paranoia……….. $25 bucks a month copayment with your insurance covering the rest!

saving yourself the hassle of being a victim of idenity theft………PRICELESS!

GET THE SHREADER!

By: Former Banker

Former Banker — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:46:31 +0000

Always destroy the credit card offer inserts, especially with your name on it.

By: VT

VT — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:04:34 +0000

No, it is not safe to just toss them out, for exactly the reason you mention: identity theft. A credit card application does not have enough information on it to steal your identity, but if someone DOES have the rest of the info, all they have to do is fill out this official-looking application and the bank might accept it.

Solutions:
1. Get a cross-cut shredder and shred any financial application or courtesy check having your name and account number on it. If you’re employed and it doesn’t violate company policy, ask to use the shredder at work.

2. Opt out of pre-approved/pre-screened credit card applications: See the link below. It’s endorsed by The US Federal Trade Commission. Call 1.888.5 OPT OUT or 1.888.567.8688 and follow directions. Your opt opt choice will be posted on your credit reports.

3. Call the company that sent you the pre-approved application and politely say, “I want you to remove my name from your lists.” Have the application blank in hand.

4. Read the Privacy Policy on every firm you have an account with. Follow directions and take action to get your name off lists so that it won’t be sold or abused.

Not a solution: taking everything in the application envelope, stuffing it in the postage paid envelope and mailing it. Feels good, but doesn’t get you off the list.

By: websterjdjr

websterjdjr — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:01:58 +0000

these are all form letters that they send out to mailing lists none of these letters contains any info that pertains to you ,they got your address out of a city directory and sent you a form letter to you and a lots of folk. The city directory is very helpful for mailers..it provides a list of homeowners so that renters cannot be mailed the same form if thats prefered..skip tracers use city directorys to find folks thats changed address..sometimes old collections can be made using city directorys and new contact numbers can be had as well.Someone probably ran a list of homeowners in your area and you were among them…thats how you got the letter…they know nothing about your privacy

By: SexyTrojan

SexyTrojan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:39:52 +0000

Smart, Bruce.

While there is little chance that anyone can steal your identity with a credit card offer, there is still a chance.

If you can’t invest in a small home shredder, put all of the offers in a plastic grocery bag and add bleach. Let it sit until the papers are ruined.

Or take them to work and shred them there.

You should do this with bank statements, credit card bills (which have your entire card number), and utility bills.

By: DAVE

DAVE — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:26:43 +0000

shred them first… if you don’t have a shredder cross out your personal info with a marker.

By: Chad L

Chad L — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:49:07 +0000

Yes, though it would be smart to buy a shredder..

By: Helaina

Helaina — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:50:21 +0000

I always shred mine. Definitely rip them up to be safe.

By: rorlegion

rorlegion — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:18:24 +0000

I rip the envelope (with stuff inside) in half and throw it in the trash.