TIPS TO AVOID IDENTITY THEFT

• Never give your Social Security number — or personal information of any kind — over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
• Check your credit reports - Look for telltale markers of identity theft, say, an address change you didn't make or new account you didn't open. Cancel accounts you don't use or only rarely use — open credit is a prime target.
• Monitor your bank account statements frequently for suspicious activity. And don't have blank checks mailed to your home; pick them up at your bank instead.
• Be careful at ATMs. "Shoulder surfers" can get your account and PIN numbers.
• If you use a computer at home, protect yourself by installing firewall software.
• Don't write down PIN numbers, passwords and the like — commit them to memory.
• Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight on weekends - deposit outgoing mail at the post office and promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.
• Shred or tear up unwanted documents that contain personal information before discarding them in the trash.
• Every year, order and thoroughly review copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.
• Never give personal identifying information over the telephone or the Internet unless you initiated the contact.