First: Get a copy of your credit reports from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Click HERE for contact information. Review each one of them carefully to spot any inaccuracies. There will be an investigation form sent with each credit report in case you find something that needs correcting. You can also subscribe to a monitoring service provided by the credit agencies that will alert you each time your report is accessed by others. Place a "Fraud Alert" in the consumer statement section of your credit reports requesting that credit grantors call you at your phone number before issuing credit.

Purchase a cross-cut shredder and start shredding all paper that displays your name and/or address before discarding it in the trash. This especially applies to credit card offers and credit card checks that are sent by your existing credit card companies to entice you to make a purchase with them. "Dumpster Diving" is one of the primary ways thieves gain access to your personal information.

Install a locking mailbox at your residence or get a post office box. This is also a primary way that Identity Thieves can steal your information as well as any checks and other valuables you may be receiving by mail.

Do not carry your social security card in your wallet, and don't give your SSN out unless absolutely necessary. Don't have your SSN printed on your checks, it is a violation of the law in some states.

Don't use email to send social security numbers, credit card numbers or other personal information. Only use reputable and secure web sites for doing on-line banking, stock trading, or making credit card purchases. Don't disclose credit card numbers on a web site unless the site offers a "secure transaction" in which your data is encrypted. There are two ways to determine whether a web site offers a secure data transaction. (1) an icon of a lock will appear in the bottom section of the web browser and (2) the URL for the web page will change from "http" to "https" for the page in which you input the personal information.

Watch out for "shoulder surfers" when using ATM's, using a pay phone, or public internet access. Their expertise is getting your personal information without you noticing their prying eyes.

When ordering checks, have them sent to your bank and pick them up there. Do not have them sent to your mail box and take the chance of them being stolen.

Reduce the number of credit cards you actually use to a minimum and carry only one or two of them in your wallet.

Closely monitor the expiration dates of your credit cards and contact the issuer if you don't receive a new card prior to the expiration date. Sign the back of the card immediately upon receipt.

Know what day of the month to expect your credit card bills, bank statements, and other financial statements and if they don't arrive when expected, contact the sender.

Have your name and address removed from phone books and reverse directories. Many thieves use the phone books to begin their crime of Identify Theft. Even more often used is internet sites in which you can look up people's phone numbers and addresses. Google has implemented a new feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and then you will be given a map to their house. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. Mapquest actually puts their red star on the map to represent your house location on the street map.

In order to test whether your telephone number is mapped, go to: http://www.google.com and type your phone # in the search bar and hit enter. NOTE: If your phone number is not publicly listed, you should be fine. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on the telephone icon next to your phone number. You will see a link where you are allowed to REMOVE yourself.

Password protect all your bank and brokerage accounts with passwords at least 8 digits long and preferably a combination of letters and numbers. Memorize your passwords and don't carry them in your wallet. Don't use obvious passwords or pin numbers like your mother's maiden name, your pet's name, your middle name or any part of your social security number.

If you have a P.O. Box, use that as your address on your checks rather than your home address so Identity Thieves won't have access to that information.

Always take credit card receipts with you. Never discard them in a public trash container.

Never allow your credit card number to be written onto your checks by a sales clerk. As mentioned before, it is a violation of the law in some states and it puts you at risk for fraud.

Store in a secure place, a photocopy or list of your credit card numbers and the phone number on each card to report the card lost or stolen.

Retain your bank statements and cancelled checks for three years. If you need to dispute a particular check, transaction, or signature, your original records will be immediately accessible. When you do dispose of your checks and bank statements, be sure to shred them.

Don't fill out warranty cards. It isn't necessary in order to be covered by a warranty. Most companies request demographic and personal information on their warranty cards which is used to add your name to various mailing lists. The only reason to return a warranty card is to be notified of product recalls. If you decide to return it for that reason, fill in only your name, address, and the serial number of the item purchased.

Beware of telemarketers who offer prizes or awards, especially if they ask you for personal information. Go to the National "Do Not Call Registry" managed by the FTC, at www.donotcall.gov and list up to 3 phone numbers to add to the telemarketers DO NOT CALL list.