Protect your Social Security number.

Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet.

Fight "phishing" - don't take the bait.

Scam artists "phish" for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or government agencies. They do this over the phone, in e-mails and in the regular mail. Do not respond to any request to verify your account number or password.

Polish your password practices.

Identity thieves love passwords because they open doors to our personal information. Use different passwords for all your accounts. Make those passwords strong with at least eight characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Be mysterious on social networks.

What you share on social networks (your home or email address; children’s names; birth date and so on) is what tech-savvy thieves use for scams, phishing, and account theft. Don’t over share.

Shield your computer and smartphone.

Protect your personal information on your computers and smartphones. Use strong passwords. Use firewall, virus and spyware protection software that you update regularly.

Click with caution.

Only enter personal information on secure Web pages with "https" in the address bar and a padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.

Check your statements.

Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately.

Stop pre-approved credit offers.

Stop most pre-approved credit card offers. They make a tempting target for identity thieves who steal your mail. Have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 1-888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). Or opt-out online at www.optoutprescreen.com.