How Unlocked Car Doors Can Lead to Identity Theft
Sometimes It's the Little Things That Prevent Identity Theft the Most
Sometimes it takes a "wake up call" for someone to realize that it's really the small things that can have the biggest impact on preventing identity theft. I had one such wake up call recently. If you're wondering what unlocked car doors have to do with identity theft, read on...
A Disturbing Trend
There have been a rash of car break ins in my area 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 unlocked. I, as embarrassing as it is to admit, was one of the victims. As careful as I am, and as much as I understand the need for security, I left my car door unlocked in my driveway.
So, before I go into the horrors of what society is coming to and how awful it is that such a thing could happen in such a good neighborhood, let me get to the root of the matter -- what was in my car and why it was an identity theft wake-up call.
Something Odd
My iPod was missing, but that wasn't the only thing that bothered me. It appears my insurance papers and other personal info is now missing too. Information that could be used to steal my identity in the wrong hands. As if once wasn't enough. That's not a pleasant thought.
The Lesson
So here's the deal... As much as I talk about shredding your statements, protecting your PC and safeguarding your laptop, there's something I've overlooked...
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.