Also described as confetti shredders, these can make it nigh impossible to reassemble the data. Some models can chew through CDs and credit cards as well.

2. Keeping personal information, personal. If you have anything that can be used to glean personal information and you need to keep it,

A few tips to get you started

Identity theft prevention, sadly, has become a part of our lives. It has always been a good idea to keep personal information away from those prying eyes. However, in our fast moving information age it's become tougher to keep it to ourselves. There's always someone trying to learn who we are for whatever reason. As you read this I'm concluding you fall into one of four identity fraud nightmare camps/categories:

1. You want to prevent it
2. You are living it
3. Know someone who is living through it
4. Heard of someone who is living it or has.

Few things can be worse than knowing a stranger has stripped you of your personal privacy. Damage to your credit is only the start. Your whole life could all be laid bare for anyone to see and use. The bad guys have already demonstrated a total disdain for you. You no longer have assurances regarding your personal life or, in some cases, safety.

Violated!

That's the word I would use.

Take steps now to either prevent this from happening to you or having this happen to you again.

1. Get a shredder. A shredder is a must. More specifically one that crosscuts. Also described as confetti shredders, these can make it nigh impossible to reassemble the data. Some models can chew through CDs and credit cards as well.

2. Keeping personal information, personal. If you have anything that can be used to glean personal information and you need to keep it, e

one trying to learn who we are for whatever reason. As you read this I'm concluding you fall into one of four identity fraud nightmare camps/categories:

1. You want to prevent it
2. You are living it
3. Know someone who is living through it
4. Heard of someone who is living it or has.

Few things can be worse than knowing a stranger has stripped you of your personal privacy. Damage to your credit is only the start. Your whole life could all be laid bare for anyone to see and use. The bad guys have already demonstrated a total disdain for you. You no longer have assurances regarding your personal life or, in some cases, safety.

Violated!

That's the word I would use.

Take steps now to either prevent this from happening to you or having this happen to you again.

1. Get a shredder. A shredder is a must. More specifically one that crosscuts. Also described as confetti shredders, these can make it nigh impossible to reassemble the data. Some models can chew through CDs and credit cards as well.

2. Keeping personal information, personal. If you have anything that can be used to glean personal information and you need to keep it,

Few things can be worse than knowing a stranger has stripped you of your personal privacy. Damage to your credit is only the start. Your whole life could all be laid bare for anyone to see and use. The bad guys have already demonstrated a total disdain for you. You no longer have assurances regarding your personal life or, in some cases, safety.

Violated!

That's the word I would use.

Take steps now to either prevent this from happening to you or having this happen to you again.

1. Get a shredder. A shredder is a must. More specifically one that crosscuts. Also described as confetti shredders, these can make it nigh impossible to reassemble the data. Some models can chew through CDs and credit cards as well.

2. Keeping personal information, personal. If you have anything that can be used to glean personal information and you need to keep it,

ances regarding your personal life or, in some cases, safety.

Violated!

That's the word I would use.

Take steps now to either prevent this from happening to you or having this happen to you again.

1. Get a shredder. A shredder is a must. More specifically one that crosscuts. Also described as confetti shredders, these can make it nigh impossible to reassemble the data. Some models can chew through CDs and credit cards as well.

2. Keeping personal information, personal. If you have anything that can be used to glean personal information and you need to keep it,

Also described as confetti shredders, these can make it nigh impossible to reassemble the data. Some models can chew through CDs and credit cards as well.

2. Keeping personal information, personal. If you have anything that can be used to glean personal information and you need to keep it, either store it in a safe, or safety deposit box. If you don't need to keep it, destroy it.

3. ATMs. When at the ATM let no one look over your shoulder. Stand squarely in front of the keypad, making it very difficult for others to make note of your PIN. When your transactions are done, should you opt for a printed receipt, never leave it. Always take it with you and feed it to the shredder when you get home.

4. Thwart dumpster divers. Don't let the bad guys find your life in the garbage. Be cautious about what you put in your trash at home. This goes along with number 2 above. Oddly enough not only do identity thieves disregard your privacy, they don't mind digging through your garbage to find it.

These are just a few steps to get you started. Personally I believe in the shredder and never revealing personal information unnecessarily. Diligence is the key to personal identity safety.