The Scam: A criminal can get billing statements, bank account information and credit card offers by misdirecting your mail. “They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form,” the FTC’s website says. Not only could you have your identity stolen, but you could also miss crucial payment deadlines and other mail.
Avoid It By: Shred mail — even junk mail — that might tempt a crook (such as credit card offers) and pay attention to what’s in your mailbox. If you get a notice informing you about a change of address and you haven’t moved, get in touch with the post office. If you suddenly stop getting statements from your bank or credit card company and you haven’t gone paperless, call them to make sure someone isn’t impersonating you via mail.