Although there's no way to completely eliminate the risk, you definitely want to take steps to protect your identity. First and foremost, purchase an inexpensive shredder. Shred all statements, unsolicited credit offerings or blank checks, and anything that contains your credit card numbers or Social Security number. Ditto for old tax returns and medical records.

Printed Matter

When you have checks printed, don't include your address, your driver's license number, or your Social Security number. Since identity thieves can hijack payment envelopes, or see checks floating around a payment center, anything printed or handwritten on your check can be stolen. Long gone are the days when anyone should ask you for those numbers to verify a check.

Put a lock on your mailbox. Don't leave envelopes containing bank statements, checks, or payment stubs in plain view. Drop your bill payments off at the post office, or better yet, when encryption is in place to protect your information (as it is with most large banking institutions), pay bills online.

If you don't receive your monthly credit card bills or bank statements within a week of their expected arrival, check with the post office to make sure no one has filed a “change of address” form.

Never leave behind or throw away credit card receipts. Take them home, and when your bill arrives, use them to make sure all charges are legitimate. Then shred them.

Keep all of your important records under lock and key. Financial documents, such as credit applications, credit card numbers, medical records, and tax returns; and identification documents, such as birth certificates, passports, and Social Security cards should be kept in a locked file where prying eyes cannot easily access them.

Watch Your Numbers

Be extremely selective about giving anyone your Social Security number. The only entities entitled to it are your employer, financial institutions (your bank or brokerage firm when you open an account, for instance), the Department of Motor Vehicles, some governmental agencies, and a small number of other institutions. When anyone asks for your Social Security number, always question whether they need the entire number, or if they can identify you with only the last four numbers, which has become a common practice with credit card companies.

Do not give it to supermarket, retailer, or restaurant cashiers, and never give it to anyone inquiring over the telephone or on the Internet unless you are absolutely certain they are reputable. In fact, it's always better to hang up or log off and call the banking or credit institution to make sure you're speaking to a real company representative.

Plastic Money

Use one credit card for all online purchases and arrange it so that you can view the account online at any time. Check the balance and all charges once a week to make sure you are the only one using the account.

Call credit card companies the moment you notice a card missing. Federal law prevents you from being held responsible for charges beyond the first $50 (sometimes you will have to fork over the first $50, and sometimes you will owe nothing), but you'll still have a mess to sort out. It is imperative that you act quickly to make sure the thief loses access to your credit.

Guard your ATM card with your life. Thieves can use them to wipe out your checking or savings accounts in seconds. Generally, it's better to use your credit cards more often than your ATM or debit cards, and minimize use of either for small purchases, particularly in fast food restaurants, gas stations, or other businesses where employees may succumb to the temptation to steal information.

Who Wants to Know?

Never provide your financial information to unknown callers. Never presume it's really your bank or credit card company calling. If they say they are reporting a problem, hang up, pull out your statement, and call them directly. And be discreet when supplying your financial information to known sources via cell phone. You never know who's listening.

Identity thieves using fake Web sites' fraudulent e-mails to solicit financial information has become so prevalent they are called “phishing” scams. Don't provide your financial information to unsolicited requests on the Internet. If you initiate the request and know the institution is legitimate, you're probably safe, but keep in mind that technology allows wily criminals to create “look-alike” Web sites that are virtually identical to your real bank or credit card provider's site.

If you receive an e-mail request for any information or account changes from a bank or online retailer that you trust, go directly to that company's Web site (not by the link sent in the e-mail) to log into your account and then look for any notices requesting that you provide more information. You can also call, using the number on your statement (not the number on what may be a fake Web site) to call your bank or credit card provider.

Review Your Credit Report

Monitor your credit reports carefully. Stagger the free reports you are entitled to from each of the three credit reporting agencies, and review them for any errors. Credit monitoring businesses are an option, but they are usually costly; you can monitor your own credit for a fraction of the cost. Be sure to check the section of your report titled “Inquiries” to see if a flurry of inquiries regarding opening new credit card accounts has been occurring.

In Cyberspace

Safeguard your computer. Regularly upgrade virus software and install a firewall program to protect personal information stored on your computer. Only download files or click on hyperlinks sent by people you know. Stick to secure browsers that use an encryption code — look for the “lock” icon on the browser's status bar. Also, if you store information on your laptop, use a “log-in” feature that requires a user name and password. When you dispose of your computers, delete all files with a “wipe” utility program that overwrites the hard drive.