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I would like to echo some of Toms additional points.

Don’t link to any site from an email— (avoid phishers) Type the url into the browser in order to access the site.

Trusted retailers — who’s trust worthy. Well any site that has EV SSL (presented by an extended green url bar) you can click on the company name a view its Certificate of Authenticity.

Using public computers AND using your computer in a public WiFi zone — They don’t call it a “hot spot” for nothing ; ) .

I monitor my credit through Equifax (highly recommended) and I have placed a credit freeze on my credit as well. No one can open an account with my SSN without answering a series of questions about where I already have credit, what I financed, through whom, and what my payments are/were.

I also refuse to give my SSN to anyone who just asks for it unless there is a very specific need — usually that relates only to taxes or to some sort of credit application (though I don’t apply for credit anywhere anymore).

Also, I don’t carry my SS card in my wallet, I shred anything related to a credit application that comes in the mail, I pay my bills through a secure site online (no checks), I regularly review my credit report (once per month), I go over every statement with a fine toothed comb, and when I do have to write a check, it only has my name and address pre-printed. Phone numbers have to be hand written! I review my banking information DAILY.