by JQ Adams

Created on: May 13, 2009

No one can guarantee that you will not fall victim to identity theft. If they do, they are lying. The best you can do is to protect your identity by using some basic steps.

Watch your mailbox very carefully. You need to retrieve your mail from your box as soon as you can after it has been delivered. Thieves steal credit card advertising offers and apply in your name while changing the address. Never mail letters from your home by using the red flag on your mailbox. Always deliver you items to be mailed directly to the post office.

Secure your social security number. Do not carry your card with you or any other document that contains your number. Do not put your number on your checks. Be aggressive about protecting your number. Ask if it is mandatory to be included on applications for insurance, for example. Also, find out what the privacy policies are in protecting your information.

Get rid of statements and other financial records. Use a shredding machine to completely and permanently wipe out credit card statements, offers or any other item that contains personal and private information on your finances.

Destroy receipts from credit card transactions. Never allow your credit card receipts or ATM slips to be left behind - even in a waste receptacle. Take them with you and shred them, too.

Do not allow your credit card out of your sight. Even when paying at a merchant, keep your card in sight at all times. If you are asked to run your card again, ask why and ask for a receipt that shows only ONE transaction.

Screen all phone calls. Before you offer any information about your identity, find out who is calling and what the purpose is for the call. Then, take it a step farther and tell them that you will call them back after you can verify that they are from a legitimate company.

Add your name to the do-not-call registry. Make a priority to add your name and phone number to the national do-not-call registry by calling 1-888-382-1222. This will prevent a lot of junk mail as it will opt you out of credit card solicitations.

Check your credit report. You are allowed a free look at your credit report every year, but you might want to check it more often than that. Look for irregularities that you do not recognize. If you find something, then contact the creditor as soon as possible.

Examine your credit card statements carefully. Or, check them regularly online for suspicious activity.

Perform these steps to help prevent identity theft and problems with your credit.

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