Identity Theft (or ID Theft) is a crime in which an impostor obtains key pieces of personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers and uses them for their own personal gain. It can start with lost or stolen wallets, pilfered mail, a data breach, computer virus, phishing, a scam, or paper documents thrown out by you or a business (dumpster diving).  This crime varies widely, and can include check fraud, credit card fraud, financial identity theft, criminal identity theft, governmental identity theft, and identity fraud.

You can take steps to protect yourself from identity fraud:

- Keep your confidential information private. Your bank or credit card company won't call or e-mail to ask for your account information. They already have it.
- Keep an inventory of everything in your wallet and your PDA, including account numbers. Don't keep your Social Security card or any card with your Social Security number, such as an insurance card, in your wallet.
- Stop getting banking and credit card information in the mail. 
- Monitor your bank and credit card transactions for unauthorized use. Crooks with your account numbers usually start small to see if you'll notice.
- Keep your vehicle registration and insurance forms in a sealed envelope in your glove box and lock it and your car when at home or away.
- If you conduct business online, use your own computer. A public computer is less secure, as is wireless Internet.
- Look for suspicious devices and don't let anyone stand nearby when you use an ATM. Take your card and receipt with you. Keep your PIN in your head, not in your wallet.
- Don't store credit card numbers and other financial information on your cell phone. 
- If you're job hunting using resume Web sites, don't apply unless the employer has a verifiable address.

Contributing Sources: MSN Money and idtheftcenter.org