[scfr]

Yesterday on the Today show, Jean Chatzky was on talking about how identity thieves have been dumpster diving to get the pre-approved credit card offers that companies mail out to people, unsolicited.

People usually just rip them up and toss them out. A reporter ran a test where they ripped up the applications, then taped them back together and mailed them to the credit card companies. Amazingly, many companies (including BofA) actually issued the credit cards, and some even accepted "change of address" information on these messy ripped-and-re-pasted things!

This is what Jean recommended:
1. SHRED: Don't just rip up the applications. Shred them.
2. OPT OUT: You can call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT and register your information. Then, by law the companies have to stop sending you the pre-approved credit apps.