Identity theft tips

• Never leave your purse or wallet unattended, at health fitness clubs, in your shopping cart, at church, at parties. Never leave your purse or wallet in open view in your car, even when locked.

• Destroy all checks immediately when you close a checking account. Destroy or keep in a secure place, any courtesy checks that your bank or credit card company may mail you.

• Reconcile your check and credit card statements in a timely fashion and challenge any purchased you did not make.

• Limit the number or Credit cards you have, and cancel and inactive accounts.

• Never give any credit card, bank, or social security information to anyone over the telephone.

• Minimize exposure of your social security and credit card numbers. If the numbers are requested for check cashing purposes, ask if the business has alternative options such as a check cashing card.

• Safeguard your credit and debit and ATM card receipts and shred them before disposing of them.

• Scrutinize your utility and subscription bills to make sure the charges are yours.

• Memorize your passwords and personal identification (PIN) numbers. Keep your PIN numbers somewhere that only you know about, anywhere but with your credit cards. Don't give out your PIN. Keeping your numbers to yourself is the best way to keep your credit card secure.

• Keep a list of, or photocopy all credit and identification cards you carry with you, including front and back, so that you can quickly call the issuers to inform them about missing or stolen cards. Keep the list or copies in a safe place.