Protect Your Passwords: Make your passwords as obscure or abstract as possible. Avoid obvious numbers and words, such as a maiden name, birth date, or an anniversary, which would be easy to guess. Never divulge your passwords to anyone, including family or friends. Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams: “Phishing” is the mass e-mailing of messages that falsely claim to come from a legitimate business. These messages often provide links to phony web sites, where you are asked to supply personal information such as passwords, credit card, social security number or bank account numbers. Never enter personal information unless you are sure the website is legitimate. You should also be certain the site is encrypted. Look for the letter "s" at the end of "https" at the beginning of the URL address. This ensures that the site is running in secure mode.

How to Recognize Phishing E-Mail: Phishing messages have evolved drastically over the last year, and they are often difficult to recognize. The creators now incorporate realistic company logos and graphics, provide links to the real company's privacy policies, and even include "legal disclaimer language" at the bottom. To help determine if an e-mail is part of a phishing scam, ask yourself the following:

Do I have a relationship with this company?

Would I expect this company to contact me this way?

Would I expect this company to use this tone or make this request?

(If you are at all unsure, contact the company by phone.)

Don't Open Unexpected E-Mail: Be cautious of e-mail and attachments — even if they look like they're from a friend — unless you are expecting them or know what they contain.

Don't E-Mail Personal or Financial Data: Most e-mail is not secure or encrypted and should not be trusted to send personal or financial information. Protect Your Personal Information: A few simple steps make a tremendous difference. For example, shred sensitive documents instead of simply throwing them away. Also, be absolutely sure you know who you're dealing with before giving any personal or financial information. OnGuard Online, a site created by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), offers additional information on preventing identity theft.

Avoid Using Your Social Security Number: Ask companies and government agencies you do business with if you can create an alternate customer identifier.

Monitor Your Financial Statements: Promptly read any account or credit card statements or correspondence when they arrive. Make sure there are no changes or transactions you did not initiate. If a bill arrives unusually late or not all, call the company. Also, be sure to monitor your credit for inaccuracies. As of September 1, 2005, all US residents are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can request your report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Identity theft warning signs include:

Seeing unauthorized charges or withdrawals, not receiving renewed credit cards, bills, or other mail, receiving credit cards for which you did not apply, notices for changes you did not initiate and denials of credit for no apparent reason. Although it could be a simple error, never assume a mistake has been made that will automatically be corrected. Follow up with the business or institution. If you suspect that your personal information has been used wrongfully, immediately:

Review your credit reports

Place a fraud alert on your accounts

Close any accounts opened or used fraudulently

File a report with the police File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

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