Use a post office box or secure lock for incoming and outgoing mail.

Use a post office box or secure lock for incoming and outgoing mail.

Don’t leave mail unattended. If you are away from home, ask the post office to hold your mail until you return.

Have new checks sent to your bank, not your home.

Fill out a change of address promptly, preventing old mail from accumulating at an old address.

Opt out of pre-approved offers. This can be done by calling 888-567-8688.

When writing checks, use a gel pen. Identity thieves use check washing to remove the name and amount, but gel pens are resistant to check washing.

Lock up important documents such as Social Security cards, birth certificates and passports.

Never give out personal information about credit cards, bank accounts, your birth date or Social Security number to unfamiliar companies or people.

Always research a company before making any decisions. Get contact information and telephone number. If they are legitimate, they will comply with your requests.

If approached by an unfamiliar charity, check it out. The Better Business Bureau will have information regarding all charities, organizations and companies.

Photocopy what is in your wallet. This will help you when you need to call your bank and credit-card companies.

If you think you are a victim of identity theft, call the fraud departments of the following credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on your file:

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111

Esperian: 1-888-397-3742

Transunion: 1-877-322-8228

Source: Trumbull County Senior Service Unit