Preventive measures

You might be surprised by how many ways people might try to steal your personal information. The good news is that there are just as many ways to protect yourself. While following these suggestions will not guarantee you'll be able to prevent identity theft, they'll help minimize your chances of becoming a victim or the damage caused should it occur.

Credit cards and credit accounts

1. Never attach your PIN number to any of your credit or debit cards.

2. Only carry with you the cards, checks and forms of ID that are absolutely necessary. Keep the others, like your Social Security card and infrequently used credit cards, in a safe place at home.

3. Keep a list of all of your credit cards and their customer service telephone numbers in a safe place at home. That way, you can contact the card companies or other lenders immediately with the necessary information if a card is stolen or lost.

4. Monitor your bank accounts and credit card bills closely and regularly for signs of transactions you didn't make. It's a good idea to keep all of your receipts and check them against your printed or online monthly statement.

IDs, bills and credit reports

1. Store your personal identification — your birth certificate, Social Security card and passport — in a safe place at home, especially if you are having service work done to your house. You may wish to consider keeping these under lock and key.

2. Check your credit report at least twice a year, if not more frequently.

3. Shred your receipts and any financial paperwork before you throw them out. The FACT Act requires that by 2007, merchant receipts print no more than the last five digits of a customer's account number, rather than the full account number.

4. Request that your Social Security number not be used as an account number or for customer, employee or college IDs.

5. Don't leave your outgoing mail in your mailbox to be picked up by your mailperson, as this mail could be stolen. Instead, drop off letters at the post office or in one of their official mailboxes. For the same reason, also be sure to pick up your incoming mail from your mailbox in a timely manner.

6. Do not discuss private, financial matters requiring you to divulge your Social Security number, account numbers, or passwords while talking on a cell or cordless phone, as such calls may be intercepted or listened to by potential thieves. Use a landline instead.

7. If you're considering making a donation to a charity, ask for written documentation first and verify the organization's credentials.