Shred all personal & financial information - such as bills, statements (bank & credit card), ATM receipts - before you throw it away.

Keep your personal documentation (i.e. Social Security Card) & your bank & credit records in a secure place.

Call the post office IMMEDIATELY if you are not receiving mail - a thief can forge your signature and have your mail forwarded.

Be aware of your surroundings when entering your PIN at an ATM.

Limit the number of credit cards & personal information that you carry in your wallet/purse.

Report lost/stolen cards IMMEDIATELY.

Review & consider whether you need currently inactive cards.  Even when not being used, these cards show on your credit report, which a thief could gain access to.  If you have applied for a card and have not received the card in a timely manner, IMMEDIATELY notify the appropriate financial institution.

Closely monitor the expiration dates on your cards - contact credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to the card's expiration date.

Sign all new cards upon receipt.

Review your credit reports annually.  Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com to receive your free reports.

Use unique passwords on your cards, bank accounts, and phone cards.  Avoid using obvious passwords such as date of birth, phone number, or mother's maiden name.

Match your receipts to your monthly bills to make sure that you have no unauthorized transactions.

Volunteer any personal information when you use your card.

Give your Social Security  number, card number, or bank account numbers over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.

Leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters, or unattended gas pumps.

Leave envelopes containing your card payments or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.

Record your Social Security number or passwords on a piece of paper to keep in your wallet/purse.

Give your Social Security number, card number, or other personal financial information data on any Web site or online service, unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.