• Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or are sure you know who you’re dealing with.
• Be skeptical of e-mail requests for personal information, especially when they come from companies that should already have the information.  Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers (ISPs) and even government agencies to get you to reveal your SSN, mother’s maiden name, account numbers and other identifying information.
• Do not click on links in suspicious e-mails; instead, you should contact the company directly by phone or through a Web site or e-mail address known to be authentic.
• Make sure an Internet connection is secure -- with an icon of a lock visible on the Web browser -- before submitting personal information.

To reduce or minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud, just remember the word "SCAM":

• S      Be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them
• C      Check your financial information regularly, and look for what should be there and what shouldn't
• A      Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report
• M      Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts