1. When you are entering private information in a public place, pay attention to your surroundings. If someone is lurking nearby, wait to enter your information.

2. Shred all personal documents before throwing them away since many identity thieves obtain information through your trash.

3. Instead of signing the backs of your credit cards, write “See ID” so that store clerks are required to verify your identity before authorizing a purchase.

4. Although you cannot shred hardware when you dispose of a computer, make sure that your information is permanently deleted. Consider buying a product to erase your hard drive.

5. Pay attention to your bank statements and credit card bills to ensure that there are no illegitimate charges on your accounts.

6. Mail bills from the post office instead of your mailbox since identity thieves can obtain a lot of important personal information from your statements.

7. Do not include your driver’s license number or social security number on your personal checks because this information in the wrong hands could prove detrimental to the safekeeping of your identity.

8. Obtain a free credit report once a year to verify that there is no unauthorized activity on your record, you can get this from the credit bureaus at no charge.

9. Keep your social security number safe since knowing these digits is the most essential factor to a person assuming your identity.

10. Do not make online purchases from companies that are not established and may not be trustworthy, always make sure you are on a secure server when you give out personal information.

11. Even though many places like car dealerships and health clubs may ask for your social security numer, do not give it unless there is no other option and be sure there is a good reason for there not being another option.

12. Sign up for credit protection services like Lifelock, they will notify you of any accounts attempted to be opened in your name, but keep in mind that these services put fraud alerts on your credit and it will be difficult for you to open new accounts as well.