When someone steals you personal information, identity theft occurs. Cyber criminals lurk using many devious means to access you account information using phishing schemes. Using fraudulent emails, phishers requesting your personal information.

Before disclosing personal info, check and make sure you know who is asking and why it's required as well as why they would need this information. When in doubt contact the sender using a secure known web address. Also you could call the phone number on back of your credit card and/or web address listed there. For instance, if you had to contact eBay, type in ebay.com into your browser for direct access. Especially avoid email hyperlinks.

Paper information at home needs to be burned or shredded. Do not indiscriminately toss personal information into the trash. A common occurrence is the loss of a purse or wallet whereby the thief damages your credit rating … or worst.