It's been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This may prove to be true when referring to clothing, homes, vehicles, etc. People like to feel like they stand out in a crowd and are noticed. However, when it comes to having your unique identity stolen, things don't work out as well.

Identity theft is on the rise. Protecting your personal information is extremely important and there are some things you can do to help prevent identity theft from happening to you.

Avoid Getting Scammed

You've probably heard the phrase “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” There are people who try to falsely get information from you by telling you that you've won a contest and all they need is your social security number, credit card information, and other valuable numbers. Never give these numbers to anyone over the telephone or internet and never to anyone you don't trust. Solicitors are trying to fish for information. This is called “phishing”. They may send you an email saying your account is about to expire and they need you to update your information. Don't take the bait and respond to these emails or solicitations.

Immediately forward these fake emails to your bank, financial institution, or authorities, and then delete them. Also, make sure you use a good antispyware program on your computer to protect you from pop ups and emails that seek to gather your information. Make sure your antispyware automatically updates to receive the newest patches to prevent viruses and hackers from infecting your computer.

Keep Confidential Documents Confidential

A great idea is to copy all your legal, personal information and keep this stored in either a bank safety deposit box or a file at home. Keep your information that you carry to a minimum in case your purse or wallet is stolen. Never carry your birth certificate, passport, or social security card with you unless absolutely necessary and never leave your purse or wallet in your vehicle for thieves to steal.

Always shred all your credit card applications that you are not applying for. Shred all cancelled checks and any old credit cards you are not using.

Put your credit card receipts in your wallet and not in your shopping bag. Also never throw receipts into the trash can. Thieves like to “dumpster dive” and they look for ways to steal your information.

Regularly Monitor Your Credit Report

Be aware of your credit report. Notice if there are any credit or debit cards on your report that you did not authorize. Look for any unauthorized purchases and report them to authorities if you do find any.

Create passwords that have letters and numbers and would be hard for anyone to guess. Don't carry a password list with you in your purse or wallet. Keep the passwords in a safe place at home. Memorize the passwords. Your financial institution can also issue an additional word or password to access your account.

Prevention Is The Key!

Although there are no guarantees that you will not be an identity theft victim, the chances of you becoming one are lessened by these suggestions. You may also want to consider an identity fraud protection service. You are one of a kind! Don't allow anyone to steal your identity.