Learn identity thieves’ tricks of the trade

A new book out tells of an experiment done by Experian, one of the big credit agencies. It went through the trash of hundreds of homes and discovered that 40 percent contained credit- and debit-card information, and 80 percent of those included the card’s expiration date. That’s a treasure-trove for Dumpster-diving criminals who want to steal your identity.

Here are a few hints for keeping your information safe from “The Wall Street Journal Complete Identity Theft Guidebook,” by Terri Cullen (Three Rivers Press). Packed with solid information and advice, the book serves up some surprising scenarios showing how inventive and creative criminals can be when they want your information:

“ Job applications can end up in the hands of criminals either through Dumpster diving or an employee who sells the information. Don’t automatically put your Social Security number or home address on job applications, and never on online job sites. If someone hires you, there’s plenty of time to get the information to Human Resources.

“ Don’t put your outgoing mail (especially bills containing checks) in your mailbox. Take the mail to the post office or drop it in a post office mailbox. As an extra precaution, have your mail sent to a drop or box, unless you have a locking mailbox.

“Open credit-card statements when the bill comes, instead of putting them aside until you sit down and write checks for the month. If someone uses your card illegally, credit-card companies limit the cost to you to $50, but they might even waive that if you call them as soon as you’re aware there’s a problem. (Remember that there’s no such protection on your debit card.)

“Shred anything that has your personal information before it goes in the trash (hopefully mixed in the coffee grounds), including all those credit-card offers you get in the mail. (Use a confetti shredder, not one that cuts paper into strips.) Better yet, if you’re in a state that allows it, have a freeze put on your credit report to keep anyone from issuing credit in your name without your specific permission.

The types of identity fraud are nearly endless: medical, stolen utilities, Social Security, Medicare and home equity, among others. And it all starts with stolen information.