SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Identity theft is on the rise nationwide. In fact, consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, representing a 25% increase over the prior year, according to recent data from the Federal Trade Commission.

This trend underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to protect yourself – including properly handling your sensitive documents. The UPS Store network, with its variety of services that help keep your private information private, is offering these tips to help you guard against identity theft:

Shred Documents: Keeping printouts of sensitive documents you no longer need increases your risk of becoming a victim of fraud. When it comes time to destroy confidential information, you need to turn to a retailer you can trust. The shredding services available at any of the 5,400+ The UPS Store locations nationwide is a far more convenient, secure and time-saving choice compared to home shredding.

When you visit The UPS Store locations, they make the process simple. A store associate will weigh your documents, then you place them into the locked shredding bin. The UPS Store network uses one of the leading document destruction vendors, Iron Mountain, which is AAA-certified by the National Association for Information Destruction. While this is an important service year-round, it’s an especially good time to declutter documents, as The UPS Store is offering a 25% off discount for shredding services for a limited time.

Protect Mail: Theft from mailboxes has significantly increased in recent years. Porch pirates stole $12 billion in packages in the past year, with up to 58 million Americans affected, according to Security.org. Beyond packages containing valuable goods, many thieves specifically target mail containing sensitive information, putting you at risk any time you receive mail from your bank, the IRS, insurance companies or other similar entities.

Gain safety, convenience and peace of mind with a personal or business mailbox at your local The UPS Store location. Route your mail and packages to your local The UPS Store location, which will even sign for packages and send you delivery text alerts. The UPS Store mailbox services accept deliveries from all carriers, ensuring your mail and packages reach you, every time.

As identity theft becomes more prevalent, taking proactive measures to protect you and your personal information is critical. Don’t leave your privacy to chance – leverage resources that exist to help you stay protected.

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