Preventing Identity Theft

Identity theft isn't just America's most commonly committed crime—it's also the easiest to commit, so it's no wonder that everyone from grandpas to grandbabies is getting in on the fun. To protect your identity from thieving grandpeople, follow these handy tips:

•First, ask yourself if your identity is really that valuable. Remember, if your identity is stolen, you'll automatically switch identities with the person who steals it, which could lead to the carefree, lawless life of delinquency you've always dreamed of.
•If you decide that your current life is worth safeguarding, lock your Social Security card in a fireproof safe. Then, hide the safe where no one would ever look—a public library.
•Never send personal info via email because an electronic message exists in cyberspace forever and could be hacked even years into the future. Always send personal info in a form that decays naturally—skywriting.
•Don't trust the people at banks. The next time you go into a bank and want to keep your identity a secret, wear a mask and communicate with the teller via handwritten notes.
•Keep a close eye on the one person who already knows too much about you—yourself. To stop yourself from stealing your own identity, you'll need a new identity (easily stolen from someone else) to keep the real you hidden and unstealable