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Years ago, people who wanted to start a new life often times changed their name and social security number, but stealing someone's identity was relatively rare. Today, it is becoming more and more common for thieves to assume your identity so that they can steal your money.

Unfortunately, having your identity stolen cost you money, time, and energy. It may also affect your credit and even interfer with acquiring a job for many years.

Here are a few helpful hints to protect yourself. Afterall, prevention is the best cure:

1. Get a mail box which locks.
Many people lose their identity to theives who simple open their mail box and steal a credit card offer, bank statement or credit card statement.

2. Shred your mail.
Invest in a good shredder and shred old mail instead of just tearing it up and throwing it away.

3. Be careful with credit card receipts.
Just tossing away a credit card receiept is dangerous. Thieves can retrieve your receipt and may not only have your signature, but also the credit card number too.

4. Check your credit card accounts often.
Sign up for on-line viewing. It only takes a few minutes to quickly check your accounts to make sure the charges listed are yours. Waiting for a statement which may take as long as a month gives thieves a long time to rack up charges.
If you don't have internet access, call the 1-800 number on your card and check your balance.

5. Don't give out personal information
Know who you are talking to. Do not give out any card numbers or your social security number over the phone or to strangers. Your social security number is ONLY needed to report income to the IRS. No one else is entitled to it and you don't have to give it.