The economy is in an economic downturn. As a result of the worsening economy identity theft has spiked to an all time high. Identity theft has become a national epidemic. Thieves are coming up with newer ways to defraud people every day. With identity theft, the offender can be so subtle that you may not even know you have been violated for several months.

Now, more than ever, it is important to protect yourself from criminals who would rob you without you ever being aware until it is too late. Keep from being a victim by learning how you can easily become one.

Identity theft is a problem for businesses as well as you, the consumer. These thieves used to be interested in only robbing your bank account. Now, they look to use your personal information to open new accounts and get approved for loans, cars, boats and all sorts of merchandise. To that end, they employ high tech means to deceive you.

1. Sharing your personal financial information with other people. This includes other family members. Many identity thieves are people that you know. They obtain your information by being close to you. It is a good rule of thumb not to leave important documents or mail laying around where anyone who enters your home could get access to it.
2. Giving out financial information over the telephone. This is a ploy used by identity thieves to reach the elderly. They make calls pretending to be a reputable agency or a bank and ask for social security and credit card numbers. Just like that, the criminal has access to your entire life.
3. Someone steals your wallet. This method used to be the most common. Thieves still steal your wallet to use credit cards, get social security cards and driver’s licenses. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or write down PIN numbers and keep them there. If your wallet is stolen, cancel credit cards immediately and report the theft to police. Keeping all agencies on alert before anything happens will send up red flags when the thief tries to use your information.
4. Forgetting to shred all mail. Even junk mail can be dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. The safest way to keep thieves out of your trash is to shred it before disposing of it.
5. Acting unwisely in public places. When people think they are safe, they may let down their guard. Unfortunately, this is when identity thieves strike. In stores, keep your purse or wallet close at hand so that no one can pick your pockets. When punching in PIN numbers, cover the screen with your hand so no one can see your numbers. Avoid putting driver’s license numbers on your checks and also telephone numbers. People seldom write checks these days unless it is to pay bills. In the grocery store, they often ask for this information on checks but you can write it down for the clerk. If a check is stolen from you, this information can prove valuable to the thief.

Now that people are out to steal your identity, protecting that information is quite important. Know the common ways that people become victims and avoid those actions to help keep your identity safe.

Here are a few ways to make the likelihood of becoming a victim of identity theft unlikely.

1. Don’t give out personal or financial information unless necessary. This includes store credit applications, doctor’s offices and any other service that you use. Blanks for a social security number may come standard on many forms but you don’t have to fill it in. if a place of business asks for it, request a copy of their policy regarding personal customer information.
2. Shred it like lettuce. Shredders don’t cost much and they can save you a bundle. Cross cut shredders cut documents into smaller pieces and on an angle so it is harder for a thief to put them back together. What should you shred? Before you toss old bills, receipts of any kind, medical and insurance forms or expired credit and insurance cards, send them through the shredder.
3. Use your debit cards as credit cards when shopping. If you do, there is no need to enter a PIN number on the keypad. This eliminates the temptation for a thief to look over your shoulder to memorize your number.
4. Be aware that thieves do go through your trash. It sounds nasty and foul but if they think they will find personal information about you, they will do it. Even junk mail that you don’t open can give them enough information about you to get them started on a crime spree at your expense.
5. Ask a trusted family member to pick up your mail or stop your mail delivery service when on vacation. A dead giveaway to identity thieves that the occupants of the home are away is the amount of newspapers that pile up in the driveway. Stop all deliveries to your home while you are gone. It is a federal offense to steal mail, but if no one sees, the thieves can’t get caught. And, it’s easier to steal from a home mailbox than a metal postal box or a P.O. Box.
6. Investigate identity theft protection with your credit card companies. Many companies offer programs to register your credit cards to protect against fraudulent usage. If not, look into an identity theft company. Many of the things that you can do for free will protect you but if you can pay for the added protection it wouldn’t hurt.

Each year, thousands and thousands of people become the victim of identity thieves. Educate and protect yourself with the above suggestions to make it that much harder for criminals to profit at the expense of your good name.

Identity thieves are still active in these tough economic times and they are returning to some tried and true methods to get your information. Be aware of the latest identity theft methods and protect yourself in every way so you don’t become a victim.