How to Prevent Identity Theft and Credit Fraud
             Customers may be in a position to prevent potential identity theft by closely guarding their personal data. For example, never give out your Social Security number over the phone unless you know the company you are dealing with and have initiated the call.
             Similarly, if your mother's maiden name is not likely to be a secure password, consider changing it to something a little more difficult for a thief to obtain. Also, carry only the cards you are actually going to use, and leave official documents like Social Security cards, passports and birth certificates at home or in a safety deposit box.
             • Shred your important papers. Don't just throw them out or rip them into pieces. Shredding is the best way to keep "dumpster divers" from obtaining credit card offers, receipts and other personal information from your trash.
             • Opt out. Credit reporting agencies make billions of dollars each year by selling your information to credit card companies. You can have your name removed from the lists by calling (888) 5-OPT-OUT, or mail Frank's pre-written letter to the credit agencies.
             • Write letters to the companies you deal with asking that they do not share, trade, or sell your personal information. Your personal information changes hands more frequently now that the Glass-Steagall Act has been repealed.
             • Get your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies at least twice a year. You may catch fraudulent activity before you receive a call from creditors. If you're already a victim of fraud, you can get the report for free, otherwise the report costs no more than $8.25. To find out more, read "BRM-101: How to get a credit report."
             • Protect your Social Security number. Don't have the number printed on your checks. Also, don't change your Social Security number if your identity has been stolen. You'll lose the credit you've built up, and it look...