Here are some things you can do to lower your risk of identity theft. Do not have your Social Security Number imprinted on your drivers license or personal checks. This provides little use to you once you remember your Social Security Number but can provide a wealth of information to a thief.

When using a check to pay credit providers use the last four digits of the card number in the memo line. Having the full account number provides an easy target for theft of your number.

Use a paper shredder. Many of us have important documents such as bank statments, credit card receipts, phone records, to name a few. These documents personally identify you. Trash taken out the night before may sit curbside for 24 hours or more before being discarded. If you recycle your paper often there is a sorting facility in which your paper is separated from the rest of the recyclable material. Each of these spots are prime targets for thiefs to gain information about you.

Keep your credit card numbers private. Make sure that any receipts you receive do not have the full credit card number (most use only the last 4 digits.) Keep receipts in a secure place or destroy them later. Many ATMs and customer driven credit card readers print a receipt make sure you take it if one printed out. When typing your number into a kiosk make sure no one is watching you from a far (changing positions at the kiosk can help cover the keystrokes)

When traveling outside the country have a two copies of your Passport and store one at home. In the event that you are in trouble your loved ones have a copy of your password to work with the authorities. The other copy take with you and store in the hotels safe or safe deposit boxes. This way only you or your loved one can get to it in an emergency and a thief would be unable to access it.

Use a copy machine to copy both sides of all the contents in your wallet. If the credit card doesn't have a customer service number look it up on your statement and write it next to the corresponding card. Store this document in a safe place. If your wallet or purse is ever stolen you have immediate access to the contents of your wallet and can easily contact the card issuers.

In the event of a lost wallet or purse file a police report in the town where it was lost. This shows the credit providers that you were diligent.

Here are the major credit reporting agency number to contact in the event your wallet is lost or stolen. Ask them to put a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

• Trans Union: (800) 680-7289
• Equifax: (800) 525-6285
• Experian (TRW): (800) 397-3742
• Social Security Administration: (800)269-0271