Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

According to about.com, every 79 seconds there is another victim of identity theft.  Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US and it alone accounted for over 42% of all complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission.  Here are some tips to help you protect yourself.

• Social Security Number.  Do not keep your card on your person, keep it locked in a secure place.  Give it out only when absolutely necessary.  Review your social security earnings annually, checking employment history and earnings for accuracy.
• Financial Statements.  Try and keep tabs on when your statements should arrive in the mail.  If they are late, they might have been taken.  Also, review all balances and transactions closely to make sure you have made the purchases.
• Credit Reports.  Get a copy of your credit report yearly to verify all the information.
• Postal Mail.  The US Postal Service recognizes that many cases of fraud are carried out by mail theft.  Try and retrieve your mail promptly, and don't put bills or important documents in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up.  Place those directly into a postal mailbox.
• Shredding Documents.  Shred all documents that contain any personal information.  If you don't have a shredder, use scissors or at least tear it up well.
• Beware of Shoulder Surfing.  Make it a point to know who is around when you're on the computer or at an ATM machine.  You never know what people are capable of getting from looking over your shoulder.
• Computer transactions.  Always use a secure site, and the URL or web address should begin with https.

It's terrible that we have to be so cautious, but you'll be kicking yourself if you become a victim and there was something you could have done to help yourself.