Five things you can do to prevent identity theft.

Anyone can be a victim of identity theft.

It can happen in minutes, and take years for the fallout to stop. If you've every experienced identity theft, not only is it a hassle, it disturbs your sense of security, making you feel vulnerable and unsafe.

This weekend I took a few minutes to do a little research on different things people can do to prevent identity theft. Listed below are a few basic precautions you might take to reduce the risk of identity theft.

1.) Reducing the number of credit cards you carry in your purse or wallet,

2.) Never divulge your social security number online. There are so many scams online today that it's hard to know what's legit and what's not. If you do not know who or why your information is being requested, it is best not share it.

3.) Opt out of credit card pre-approval offers. Responding to “pre-approval” letters for some credit card are gold mines for identity thieves. Ask to be removed from their mailing list, the contact information is usually on the back of each offer.

4.) Shred or destroy records with personal or financial information rather than just throwing it into the trash. Your mail is a major source for identity theft since most bills include account numbers along with your name and address.

5.) Monitor your credit report. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three main credit bureaus once a year. At this website, www.annualcreditreport.com, you can request a copy of your credit report to check for incorrect or fraudulent activity.

It’s practically impossible to keep all of your personal information private since we go to so many places where credit cards and identification are necessary to participate in our daily activities. Use caution in these situations and you can make it much harder for the thief.