the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the call or the request online. No reputable bank or company will request this information. Hang up immediately or delete the e-mail.

6. Install a firewall and update your anti-virus program to keep your PC safe from spyware and keylogging software. These programs can copy keystrokes and send back to ident

You can never be too paranoid when it comes to protecting your personal information and details. It is much better to be cautious and careful. Identity thieves are everywhere, and they are waiting to strike. You can avoid becoming a victim of identity theft by doing 10 simple things:

1. Only carry the credit cards and any other personal information that you need every day in your wallet. If your wallet or purse is stolen, you will have less concern. Even the most careful person is at risk and can be fooled by professional thieves.

2. Always keep you personal information stored in a safe place at home. It is best if you have a place to lock this sensitive information in.

3. Always have telephone numbers and card numbers handy in case your credit cards or ATM cards are lost or stolen. Never keep PINs together with your cards. This is even more critical if you are traveling locally or overseas.

4. It is especially important when traveling that you keep a copy of your passport and other important identification documents in a safe place. This will make it easier and quicker to obtain a new passport if you lose it or it gets stolen. Some people also carry their official birth certificate as back up documentation. Other important information to carry with you include your driver's license number, eye glass prescription and camera serial number.

5. Never give sensitive information such as PINs or passwords over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the call or the request online. No reputable bank or company will request this information. Hang up immediately or delete the e-mail.

6. Install a firewall and update your anti-virus program to keep your PC safe from spyware and keylogging software. These programs can copy keystrokes and send back to ident

ou need every day in your wallet. If your wallet or purse is stolen, you will have less concern. Even the most careful person is at risk and can be fooled by professional thieves.

2. Always keep you personal information stored in a safe place at home. It is best if you have a place to lock this sensitive information in.

3. Always have telephone numbers and card numbers handy in case your credit cards or ATM cards are lost or stolen. Never keep PINs together with your cards. This is even more critical if you are traveling locally or overseas.

4. It is especially important when traveling that you keep a copy of your passport and other important identification documents in a safe place. This will make it easier and quicker to obtain a new passport if you lose it or it gets stolen. Some people also carry their official birth certificate as back up documentation. Other important information to carry with you include your driver's license number, eye glass prescription and camera serial number.

5. Never give sensitive information such as PINs or passwords over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the call or the request online. No reputable bank or company will request this information. Hang up immediately or delete the e-mail.

6. Install a firewall and update your anti-virus program to keep your PC safe from spyware and keylogging software. These programs can copy keystrokes and send back to ident

bers and card numbers handy in case your credit cards or ATM cards are lost or stolen. Never keep PINs together with your cards. This is even more critical if you are traveling locally or overseas.

4. It is especially important when traveling that you keep a copy of your passport and other important identification documents in a safe place. This will make it easier and quicker to obtain a new passport if you lose it or it gets stolen. Some people also carry their official birth certificate as back up documentation. Other important information to carry with you include your driver's license number, eye glass prescription and camera serial number.

5. Never give sensitive information such as PINs or passwords over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the call or the request online. No reputable bank or company will request this information. Hang up immediately or delete the e-mail.

6. Install a firewall and update your anti-virus program to keep your PC safe from spyware and keylogging software. These programs can copy keystrokes and send back to ident

e it easier and quicker to obtain a new passport if you lose it or it gets stolen. Some people also carry their official birth certificate as back up documentation. Other important information to carry with you include your driver's license number, eye glass prescription and camera serial number.

5. Never give sensitive information such as PINs or passwords over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the call or the request online. No reputable bank or company will request this information. Hang up immediately or delete the e-mail.

6. Install a firewall and update your anti-virus program to keep your PC safe from spyware and keylogging software. These programs can copy keystrokes and send back to ident

the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the call or the request online. No reputable bank or company will request this information. Hang up immediately or delete the e-mail.

6. Install a firewall and update your anti-virus program to keep your PC safe from spyware and keylogging software. These programs can copy keystrokes and send back to identity thieves vital sensitive information such as login information to your bank accounts.

7. You should frequently change your passwords; change it every month or so. That way, an identity thieve would have to re-break your code. Keep away from obvious passwords such as those that contain your initials and birth dates. Make your passwords hard to guess; use a combination of numbers and letters in uppercase and lowercase.

8.Your personal information should not be shared unless absolutely necessary. Your social security number, passport number, birth date and driver's license number should all be considered private and safeguarded. Use your name, address and telephone number as your primary means of identification. You can show a government issued photo ID, but do not let cashiers include this data on sales receipts.

9. Even if it is easy to have, you should never have sensitive information printed on your checks. Try to satisfy the store with less sensitive ways of identifying yourself.

10. You may feel safe with legitimate businesses, but only provide them with required information. Do not be afraid to question when certain personal information is necessary to complete the transaction. Be like most security systems -- only those that have a legitimate reason to have the information can access the information. It is all right to refuse to provide extraneous personal information.