By Sarah Snyder
Staff Writer

According to the Better Business Bureau, 8.1 million Americans became victims last year to the tune of $45 billion.

Canceled checks, banking, credit and debit card receipts, credit card and bank statements, credit card and loan contracts, documentation of major purchases and sales, paycheck stubs and bills are just some of the documents that carry personal information and should be guarded closely.

Sgt. Charles Fleckenstein of the Helotes Police Department said that as his community grows, so does the threat of identity theft.

“(The) theft problem in Helotes is a growing one … as the city adds new homes and businesses,” he said, adding that offenses using Helotes residents’ names are happening as far away as Canada, Michigan, Minnesota, Louisiana, Tennessee and New York. 

“Most of our victims don’t know how the bad guy got their info,” he said.

The BBB recommends the shredding of: any documents that include Social Security numbers, birthdates, Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) or passwords; banking documents or other financial information; leases, contracts or letters that include signatures; pre-approved credit card applications; medical or dental bills; travel itineraries; and used airline tickets.

It is also crucial to erase all data on the computer before the system changes hands. Another way to get in trouble: Revealing your personal information on the phone when you’re not the one who initiated the contact.