| A trip to your mailbox seems simple enough, | | | | Luckily, there is a way for you to assure |
| you walk outside, open the mailbox lid, and | | | | that safety to your identity is at least |
| pull out your mail, case solved, your mail | | | | slightly more secure. According to the |
| has been found. Of course there is the entire | | | | answer is the credit card Opt-out program, a |
| issue of identity theft, and the hours you | | | | program often described as the "do-not-call" |
| could spend fighting to have your credit | | | | list of the credit card industry, actually it |
| restored. I know, a drastic cliffhanger is | | | | should be the "do-not call, do not-mail, in |
| not why you're reading this article, but the | | | | fact just don't" list. But I digress |
| truth is the case above happens on a daily | | | | |
| basis to individuals all over the country. | | | | The program is simple to join, simply go to |
| The culprit? "Pre-approved" credit card | | | | and fill out the quick 60 second form. You |
| offers from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and | | | | have the option of choosing to opt-out for |
| even American Express. | | | | good, or for 5 years, which seems like a good |
| | | | options for those of us who are compulsive |
| While it is true that the real hard copy | | | | shoppers and won't need a new pair of shoes |
| plastic credit cards are no longer sent to | | | | for more than a few years. After opting out |
| recipients, the simple acknowledgement can be | | | | all mailings will stop, and telemarketing |
| enough for an identity theif to search out | | | | calls not only from credit card issuers, but |
| information on you and your loved ones. | | | | also from credit card merchants as well. And |
| Sometimes "dumpster diving" that is the act | | | | you can Opt-in to the mailings anytime by |
| of going through your trash. Sometimes it | | | | simply visiting the site again and opt-ing |
| occurs through email scams when they search | | | | back in. |
| you out on the internet and have some of your | | | | |
| information, such as the pre-approval credit | | | | It isn't the solve all to credit card issues, |
| card name on hand. Either way they have an | | | | but its a nice easy to follow step, and it |
| in, and they will use it to their advantage. | | | | can't hurt. |
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