Identity theft is becoming more and more of a problem with the use of the Internet becoming more prevalent for purchasing things online. Criminals and hackers are consistently waiting in the wings to steal your personal information and steal your identity, and the only thing the average consumer can do is stay on guard when shopping online.

What can you do to protect yourself from identity theft? Here are a few tips:
• Use your credit cards smartly and keep your receipts and PIN numbers safe to keep criminals from copying and re-using your details or stealing your card.
• Keep an eye on your post, and if you notice that any has gone missing contact the Royal Mail right away.
• Choose passwords and log-ins for the Internet and websites you frequent wisely and make them difficult for people to crack. If you have to write them down to remember, keep them protected.
• Close out any dormant accounts to keep them from being used without your knowledge
• Try not to access highly personal information in public places where your numbers may be saved in computer caches
• Check with your service provider if someone asks you for your password

You need to always make sure that you know who you are dealing with at all times. Criminals will set up bogus companies, websites, charities or other organisations in an effort to get you to give them your personal information or money. Additionally, you need to be extremely vigilant about any communication you receive from people you do not know. They will call your home and attempt to get your personal information from you by using a real person to talk to you. If something just doesn't seem right with the communication, then it probably isn't legitimate.
Protecting your personal information on your computer is also important as hackers can pick up your information through viruses, Trojans, worms, and spyware. These malicious programmes can also cause your computer to stop working properly, can record the websites you visit, and also record the information you type into the website. This is how hackers get your personal information, and they can log in as you and run up thousands of pounds worth of charges that will hurt you and your bank accounts.

Because these programmes can be sent as files attached to e-mails or through software you download onto your computer from the Internet, you need to minimise your risk of infection.

You can do this by:

• Deleting e-mails with attachments from people or companies you do not know before opening them. The attachment usually contains the virus.
• Use a good anti-virus programme and firewall software to detect and block viruses and other malicious communications.
• Use an anti-spam filter to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive on a daily basis.

When purchasing something online, always make sure the website is secure. The site's URL should start with ‘https' and this indicates that they have safety barriers in place for your protection. Alternatively, ensure that there is some kind of ‘Security Verification' like Verisign.