When an identity thief goes through the garbage of potential victim, it is known as dumpster diving. The only tools required are flashlight and a pair of gloves. (The best time to go on a garbage hunt is midnight, and the thief must be able to endure the scent – especially on a warm summer night.) The goal of dumpster diving is to get personal data that you discard without shredding or tearing. What type of important data, you may be wondering? The following list provides you with the answer:

• Pre-approved credit card forms: Tossing away those pre-approved credit card forms without shredding, tearing or burning them is asking for trouble. An Identity thief can find the forms from your garbage, send it in with the home address altered, and receive the brand-new cards in your identity. After receiving the credit card, the thief makes transaction (or cash advances) to the credit card up to its maximum limit in short order. Then, he throws away the card and leaves you dumbfounded with the bill.
• Credit card receipts: Even many companies no longer print your complete credit card number on the receipts, some still do this. Examine your receipt – if it has your credit card number, do not throw or discard it to fall into the hands of bad people.
• Financial statements: It contains your account numbers and (frequently) your SSN are prizes that may lurk in the garbage can unharmed and waiting to be “freed” by the identity thieves.

The bottom line is to shred all important personal information before discarding it. Shred, tear, or otherwise burn those, financial statements, pre-approved credit card applications and credit card receipts. Do not make your house a dumpster diving goldmine; what you discard can come back to stalk and hunt you.