Social Networks

• Individuals who have accounts on social networking sites should avoid posting vital personal information. This information includes home addresses, phone numbers and year of birth, which is information ID thieves often use, according to Agent Lanza. Additionally, social networking users should have their privacy setting set so only "friends" can view information.
  
  

Wallets

• Agent Lanza states that an individual should never carry a Social Security card in a wallet, purse or pocket unless it is absolutely necessary, like starting the hiring process at a new job. Other items to avoid carrying include PIN numbers and credit cards not used often.
  
  

Mail Boxes

• An individual's mail can contain a goldmine of information for a would-be ID thief. Individuals can guard themselves against identity theft by only sending and receiving mail from a mailbox that locks. Secure mailbox ideas include renting a post office box at local post offices, placing a lock on a current mailbox and giving the post office a key or purchasing a mailbox that comes with an installed locking mechanism. Individuals should check with their local post office regarding locks on residential mailboxes before purchasing one.
  
  

Paper Shredders

• An individual's garbage can be another rich source of personal information for an ID thief, especially when it contains mail and other documents with personal information. Purchasing a cross-paper shredder and using it will make it nearly impossible for an ID thief to read another person's confidential information.
  
  

Credit Monitoring

• An individual can receive free copies of his credit report every year or order a free report every three months from a credit bureau. Credit reports show information on all the accounts an individual has, making it easy for him to see any accounts he did not open or authorize.
  
  

Email

• An individual should never click on a link within an email message that directs her to log into her online banking site or credit card account. Additionally, she should not respond the emails where the sender claims to be a financial institution that needs updated information and requests that the individual reply with personal information. Anytime an individual is uncertain about personal information requested of her from a financial institution or credit card company, she should call the company to verify the request.