While there is no guaranteed way of preventing identity theft or fraud, the following steps can help you minimize the risks.

• Keep all personal information in a safe place. Keep PIN numbers separate from credit cards and account information. Encode PIN numbers with a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols and avoid using obvious identifiers such as birthdates and phone numbers.
• Don‘t carry extra credit cards. Cancel any credit card accounts that you don‘t use. Take all store receipts with you after a purchase.
• Shred or otherwise destroy all papers containing financial information or identifiers. Don‘t simply throw them in the trash. Be especially careful with credit card offers.
• Keep computer "firewalls" and virus protection up-to-date. This is particularly important if your Internet connection is "always on" even if your computer is powered off (e.g., a cable connection).
• Don‘t give out your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary, particularly over the Internet or telephone. Don‘t print your Social Security number or your phone number on checks.
• Don‘t share personal information by phone or e-mail unless you initiated the contact. Be especially wary of unsolicited e-mails asking for personal information, even if they look official. Contact the institution requesting the information by phone or in person, not by replying to the e-mail, to confirm a request is legitimate. Never open attachments to unsolicited e-mails.
• Check monthly credit card and financial account statements carefully; make sure there are no charges you don‘t recognize. Be alert for monthly bills that do not show up on time - identity thieves may have changed your address.
• Guard deposit slips as carefully as you do checks. Thieves can use them to withdraw money by writing a bad check, depositing it into your account, and asking for part of the deposit in cash.
• Don‘t mail any items that contain personal data from an unsecured mailbox. Take them to the post office or a United States Postal Service mailbox.
• Follow up immediately if a creditor or merchant calls about charges you don‘t recognize.
• Check with your employer to ensure that your personal information is properly safeguarded.
• Check your credit report regularly, at least once or twice a year. Make sure you recognize all entries, and follow up immediately if you do not.
• Follow up immediately if a creditor or merchant calls about charges you don‘t recognize.
• Check with your employer to ensure that your personal information is properly safeguarded.
• Check your credit report regularly, at least once or twice a year. Make sure you recognize all entries, and follow up immediately if you do not.