Identity theft continues to grow as a big problem all around the world. From Frankfurt to Toronto and from Nairobi to Sydney, consumers the world over are finding that their very identity are being stolen and reused. Billions upon billions of dollars are lost every year because of thieves, even entire rings of crooks, who get a hold of your personal information and use it to their advantage. You can avoid identity theft and ensure that your information stays hidden from intruders if you follow all of the steps outlined as follows:



Secure Web Sites: Although many folks believe that the internet is a big identity theft pool, it really isn't. Yes, if you answer one of those ?phishing? emails you could be snagged. However, most shopping online is done through secure web sites, making it virtually impossible for thieves to steal your personal information.

ATMs: Be careful around ATMs as someone can easily walk up behind you and take a picture of your transaction with their camera phone and steal away your personal i.d. number. Never write or leave your P.I.N. on any place that a thief could find it, such as on the back of your card.

Dumpster Divers: If you don't shred stuff, then you could find that people who love to jump into dumpsters to retrieve personal information may get a hold of your valuable information. Always shred anything that you don't want anyone else to read or misuse later!

Social Security Cards: Do you carry your social security card with you? If so, you could be in trouble later if your wallet is stolen. Once a thief gets a hold of your social security number, then you could find that loans have been taken out in your name, accounts opened, and savings accounts depleted. Never give your social security number out to anyone especially over the phone!

Check Your Mail: Letting mail build up for several days can be a sure sign to a savvy crook that you are away. Guess who wants to grab your mail and fill out all of those credit card offers? Crooks do! If you are away, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to take your mail or contact the post office and ask them to hold it for you.

You can stop identity theft, but you must be on top of things. Pull copies of your credit reports too to learn if any information contained therein is false as it could be a sign that someone is up to much mischief.