1. Check your wallet or purse before you go shopping. Avoid carrying your Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports unless necessary. Don't carry extra credit cards unless you plan to use them.
2. Create a list of all your credit card and bank account information and keep in a secure place. If your card is stolen, refer to this list and immediately notify your card provider. Include on the list:
   • account numbers
   • expiration dates
   • credit limits
   • telephone numbers/emails of customer service and fraud departments
3. Protect your Passwords and PINs. When creating passwords and PINs, combine letters and numbers. Don't use:
   • the last 4 digits of your Social Security number
   • mother's maiden name
   • birth date
   • middle name
   • pet's name
   • consecutive numbers
   • anything that could easily be discovered by thieves.
4. Review your credit report now. Consumers receive one free copy of their credit report every 12 months from each of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Order a report today, review it and look for errors. Report any mistakes to the credit bureaus.
5. Never give confidential information over the phone to someone claiming they represent a financial institution or creditor. If you receive an unsolicited call and are asked to provide information, get their name, location, telephone number and reason they are calling. Call them back on the phone number on your billing statements to verify their identification.
6. Never put outgoing checks or bill payments in your home mailbox, as they are easy to steal. Thieves can steal mail with checks in them and gain other personal information from bills and financial statements. Drop all items with financial information at the post office or in a secure postal mailbox.
7. Log off completely when you're finished with an online transaction. Closing or typing a new Web address is not enough. Click "log off" to terminate your online session. Don't allow your browser to "remember" your username and password.
8. Increase your personal computer's security. Personal firewalls and security software packages are a must-have. Make sure that you access your online financial accounts only on a secure Web page using encryption.
9. Avoiding e-mailing personal and financial information. Even if your computer is well protected, that doesn't mean the individual or the company receiving your payment has similar security. Always confirm with online retailers that they have proper security before responding to any e-mail request.
10. Don't reply and delete any suspicious e-mail requests. Don't click links or buttons in the messages. Instead, type the URL of the company into your browser, log on as you normally do, and review your account information.

Information from Travelers Insurance.