How Unlocked Car Doors Can Lead to Identity Theft

A Disturbing Trend:
 

An identity is stolen every 2 seconds -- which is very scary.

There have been a rash of car break-ins recently. Well, to be honest, calling them break-ins isn't technically fair. The scumbags (and that, my friends, is what criminals are) are targeting cars that have unlocked doors.

In the wee hours of the morning the crooks have been going from driveway to driveway checking car doors and stealing from the cars that have been left unlocked.

Insurance papers in your glove box, computers with private information in them, cell phones, etc., can all provide identity theft information about you and your family to the bad guys.

So here's the deal... As much talk as there has been about shredding your statements, protecting your PC and safeguarding your laptop, there's something we have overlooked. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

Plain and simple:

Lock your car doors, the doors to your house and that door that goes from the outside to your garage and the one that goes from your garage to your home. Sometimes all it takes is something as simple as a locked door to prevent identity theft.