How would you feel if you got a credit card bill for something you didn't buy? And what if, when you called your credit card customer service department, you learned that there were yet more charges made that you weren't aware of? This is called identity theft, and it happens to thousands of people every day. Fortunately, your credit card company will probably waive those charges, but in a case of identity theft there are usually much more serious consequences for your credit that can take years for you to repair.

You would probably be shocked if you knew how easily identity theft can occur, so it's imperative that everyone learns all they can about identity theft prevention. A simple thing you can do is to look through your wallet or purse, and remove any documents you may be carrying with you that you don't need. A social security card is a good example of an important document that you really don't need to carry with you when you leave your home. Make an effort to reduce the number of things in your wallet, to minimize the possibility of losing every bit of your personal information to an identity thief.

Mail is a common way that personal information is stolen by identity thieves. If you're going to be away from home for any length of time it might be wise to ask a neighbor to pick up your mail for you, or you can have the post office stop delivery temporarily. For added everyday protection, you can get a post office box and have your mail delivered there instead. Identity thieves will sometimes also divert your mail directly to them, by filling out a change of address form in your name. Careful monitoring of your mail can help prevent this from happening. For example, if you notice that monthly bills or magazine subscriptions are missing, check with your postmaster to make sure everything is all right.

You might have a job that requires you to travel often, or some other business that requires overseas travel. Prevent identity theft by using travelers' checks rather than your personal checks. You can become an identity theft victim if your checkbook is stolen, as the thief will have access to your checking account.

Be very aware of other people in the vicinity when you're at an ATM machine. Anyone nearby may be watching you input your PIN number. The same person may steal your wallet later. And you don't even want to imagine what the consequences of that would be like. It's a good idea to use your body or your free hand to keep anyone around you from viewing the keypad. When using an ATM, do whatever you need to do to prevent someone around you from getting your pin number.

If you pay attention, and take the necessary steps, you can protect yourself from identity theft. When all is said and done, it is up to you to prevent your identity from being stolen.