Preventing Identity Theft by Burning Your Junk Mail

Burning your junk mail can be a real boon when it comes to preventing identity theft.  Moreover, you can rest assured that the annoying marketing offers will soon perish in a blaze of fire.  This crazy idea dawned on me after my shredder chose to stop working.  I say “chose” because my shredder has a life of its own.

Preventing Identity Theft by Burning Your Junk Mail
Nevertheless, I decided to start a fire in my barbecue grill and proceed to burn nearly two hundred pieces of junk mail filled with identifying information.  That identifying information mainly consists of my name and address.  Big deal you say.  But, it is.

Thick envelopes, filled with poor and great sales copy, contain other potentially sensitive personal information which can lead to identity theft by means of physical crimes.  If you have ever received an offer for the Bestest Titanium Credit Card in the world you know that this invitation alone says lots about you, but more importantly about your finances and credit.

Couple big reasons why you should burn
If you throw junk mail out into the trash a persistent thief may gather enough data about you to wait in front of your house the next time you hold your Starbucks latte and your briefcase in your hands.  Remember, there are people out there that see rewards in a form of a quick violation of the law.  Some people have their purses and briefcases snatched and others are not so lucky.  Your improper disposal of junk mail can be more costly than the time and the money needed to clean your credit record from identity and credit card fraud.  It can also lead to bodily harm, and even death.

Wow, that’s harsh… I know!  However, chances of something like that happening are very remote.  But in the end, who really wants to chance it.  Burning your junk mail is a great alternative to shredding, especially if you have tons of unsolicited mail.  It can even protect you from theft of your personal belongings and injury.  Now one question remains: how do you light a match?