Identity theft is a crime of opportunity. These tips can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Check financial statements ASAP: Always review your monthly banking, brokerage, and credit card statements for accuracy. Report any problems immediately.

Watch your credit closely: Order copies of your credit report every year from any or all of the three major credit reporting agencies. They are as follows: Equifax, 800-685-1111, P.O. box 105851, Atlanta, GA 30348; TransUnion, 800-888-4231, P.O. box 1000, Chester, PA 19022; and Experian, 888-397-3742, P.O. box 2002, Allen, TX 75013. Report any errors immediately and also in writing.

Be careful with the information you give out: Never give out your SSN, birth date, or mother’s maiden name unless you begin the transaction. On documents, don’t include such data unless it is required on an application for employment, financing, or insurance. Never use such information on Web pages or publicly posted resumes or directories.

Just say "NO": Consider "opting out" of information sharing at your financial institutions. (Ask your customer service reps about how to do this) Also, opt out of pre-approved credit card offers, by calling the Credit Reporting Industry Pre-Screening Opt-Out Number at 888-567-8688.

Travel lightly: Do not carry identification that contains sensitive information such as, your SSN unless necessary.

Keep your sensitive information safe: Keep your driver’s license and other identification in safe-keeping at all times. Lock desks, cabinets, and safes containing this information in your office and home.

Shred and destroy: Before throwing out files containing your SSN, account numbers, and birth dates, shred and destroy them. Destroy CD’s or floppies containing this data. Use hard-drive shredding software or remove your hard-drive data before throwing out your computer. Just deleting files is not enough.

Guard your mail: Consider using a locking mailbox, or slot to receive your mail at home. Deposit mail in postal mailboxes or in the post office, to avoid mail theft.

Keep an eye on your credit card: Try not to let waiters, sales clerks, or gas-station attendants disappear from view with your credit or debit card. Crooks can use a handheld card reader to copy information from your card.

Beware of strange ATM’s: Avoid using private or strange-looking ATM’s, because they can be rigged to skim data off of your card. 6 or 7 character PIN numbers are harder to break than shorter ones, but you may not be able to use them at all machines.

Use a "Firewall": Install a firewall and or virus-protection software on your home computers to avoid being "hacked" into.

Always "Log Off": Quit your browser and log off after using public internet-access computers in libraries, internet cafes, and places such as these. Do not pay bills, bank, or do any other financial transactions on public computers. If you have a high-speed internet connection at home, unplug the computer’s cable or phone line when you are not using it to avoid being hacked.

Only use reputable Web sites: Check privacy and security polices of Web sites before making purchases, trading stocks, or banking online. A well done Web site is no guarantee of its security.

Complication is the key: Consider using only 8 character passwords to protect your bank and brokerage accounts.

Double check your workplace: Ask how your employer safeguards your records. Request that your SSN not be used as an employee ID number.

If you become a victim: Please visit our valuable links page for a link to the ID Theft Resource Center.