Do you know how to protect yourself from identity theft or fraud? This is becoming a more frequent problem with many people today but you can greatly reduce the chances of it happening to you when you take the proper steps.

Identity fraud is defined as a single attempt to steal money from an account. For example, this could be someone trying to place charges that you did not authorize onto your bank card or credit card. Identity theft is when someone steals your identity- your personal information such as your driver’s license or social security number. They then use this personal information to open accounts in your name and make purchases in your name without your knowledge or consent.

These types of crimes are becoming more common in our technological society today but you can help prevent yourself from becoming a victim. Here are some things to keep in mind:

· Don’t give out your personal information on the phone or Internet unless you are completely certain of who you are talking to.
· Always store your personal information in a locked, safe location.
· Always tear up old receipts and any paperwork that has this secure information on it.
· Never place documents with this info in the trash without shredding the papers
· Always guard your mail from theft
· Check your account statements regularly and carefully to make sure there are no unauthorized charges
· Always protect your PINs and passwords; don’t carry them in your wallet
· When using online banking and purchasing, be sure your computer is secure
· Carry a minimal amount of credit cards and IDs with you in case your wallet is stolen

With these tips, you can greatly lower the chance of you becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud. These things should become habit for you over time and you will be a less likely candidate for anyone who wants to commit these types of crimes.

Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles and the author of How to Earn a Living Writing for the Internet. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content.