1. Treat your social security number like it is top secret classified information. Do not carry your social security number or your children’s social security numbers around with you. Do not put your social security number on your checks. (You also don’t need to put your phone number, or your driver’s license number on your checks – just your address should suffice. If you pay a merchant with a check, and they ask you to write any additional information on the check, you have the right to refuse.) Also, if a bank or insurance company asks you for your social security number, ask them if you can use an alternate number instead. If they ask why, just tell them you are concerned about identity theft protection. They will often allow you to do this in order to keep your business.

2. Buy a crosscut shredder. You can get one for as little as $30 and it is well worth the investment. Anyone who watches CSI knows that the traditional shredders are not foolproof, but a crosscut shredder will make a thief very frustrated very fast. Shred everything with your name on it. This means bills, receipts, forms, documents, and don’t forget junk mail! Never throw anything away with any identifying information. Start to think of shredding as just another household chore that has to be done once a week.

3. Protect your mail. You might consider getting a post office box instead of having mail delivered to your home. If not, then get a locked mailbox, so that no one can steal your mail before you can get to it. Even better, try to get to the mail as soon as it is delivered. When you order new checks, you can ask that they be delivered to your bank, instead of your home, as these often will not fit into a locked mailbox slot. If you plan to be away from home, ask that the post office hold your mail so that no one sees it piling up beside your door. (The post office will only hold mail for 30 days, so if you plan to be away for longer than that, have your mail forwarded to a different address.)

4. Protect your credit cards. Consider canceling credit cards that you do not use. Thieves are attracted to these accounts because they think you won’t notice if they use them. Do not lend your credit cards to anyone. Do not let your credit card out of your sight. This means that you will need to use cash at a restaurant, unless you plan to follow your server to the register.

5. Protect your credit. Be vigilant about checking your credit card and bank statements to make sure you don’t find any charges you did not make. Also, at least take advantage of the free credit report that you are entitled to each year. You might want to pay the fee and check your credit twice a year, just to be on the safe side. A lot can happen in a year.

Visit Identity Theft Protection Blog for more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones.