One of the fastest growing high-tech crimes in the world today is identity theft. I this high-tech world, there are people who will try to hack computer systems and get your information so that for a limited time, they can "become you". Since they are now "you" if they are successful, they open new credit card accounts in your name, charge them to the hilt, then seemingly disappear from the face of the planet. Meanwhile, the credit card companies come back to the REAL you to find out when you are going to start making payments on that leather furniture, that top-of-the-line computer system, and that 60 inch plasma TV.

It is not a pretty picture. Now keep in mind that the majority of online sites where you can purchase items and merchandise are not scams and they take every possible precaution to ensure that this does not happen to you. While identity theft is something to be very aware of, it should also not throw you into such a state of paranoia that you disallow any members of your family from purchasing anything online! And also worthy of noting are two things:

1. There are relatively simple steps you can take to prevent identity theft from happening to you.

2. Identity theft is NOT limited to just online transactions!

Effective identity theft protection is now a necessary part of doing business online of offline. Whether you're online, on the phone or taking part in a business deal in a face-to-face arena, there are certain tips that you'll need to remember in order to participate in a solid identity theft prevention plan. If you've ever used a credit card to order take-out food over the phone, you're potentially leaving yourself wide open to identity theft.

One of the things you can do to help protect you against identity theft is to put passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts. Call your phone company today and put a password on your account. You should also ask your phone company to put what is known as a "PIC Freeze" on your phone account. This means that they will require your express permission before they switch your long distance carrier to anything other than what it is right now. There is usually no charge for this service from your phone company.

Another thing you should do frequently, at least a few times a year is to review your credit report as frequently as possible. Get a copy of your credit report from each of the "Big Three" credit reporting bureaus and go over them with a fine tooth comb.

Whenever possible, use an actual credit card instead of an ATM debit of check card. It is much easier to NOT be assessed for fraudulent charges on a real credit card, whereas many people have reported difficulty in not being required to pay charges, even fraudulent charges, when using a debit card.

Always, always, always take the receipt at a restaurant when you pay for dinner with a credit card. Some people go to the extent of also writing down the server's name on the credit card receipt, and then compare it against the amount shown on their credit card statement. This is a small step but could save you big time, as well as enabling authorities to catch a thief with the name of the server who last had possession of your credit card and was out of your sight for a period of time.

You know that junk mail you get almost every day? Much of it has your name and address, but sometimes it also contains very private information such as your date of birth and even your social security number. Don't just throw that in the trash can - invest in an inexpensive shredder at an office supply store like Best Buy or Office Depot, and shred that junk mail. Many occurrences of identity theft have come as a result of thieves going through someone's trash and discovering such information in the trash, with more than enough data readily visible to create a "temporary new you".

Do not become too relaxed about identity theft in this electronic age. Take some simple and logical steps to protect your information to avoid becoming the next victim.