Your identity is extremely valuable because on a day to day basis you need it to prove who you are for things such as applying for a passport or driving license, opening a bank account, obtaining a loan or getting a credit card. When a criminal gets hold of your identity information they can do exactly the same things in your name without your knowledge. So it’s important to keep your personal information safe and secure. Here’s how you can protect yourself from identity fraud. Don’t throw anything away that has your name, address, social security number or other personal information. This includes bank statements, bills and credit card offers. Shred this info thoroughly. When you move, notify your utility companies of your change of address. Check your credit report often and make note of any suspicious activities like the opening of a new credit card. Notify your credit card company immediately if your card is stolen. It’s possible that you may be liable for all charges if you don’t notify them in a timely manner. Be careful who you give your information to. If you’re going to be submitting your information online, make sure you’re doing so securely. You can do this by seeing the URL start with https  instead of http. Don’t ever give your PIN number or password to anyone. Companies will never ask for this information.