Do not put your credit card number on the Internet unless it is encrypted on a secure site. Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if bills don't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address. Cancel all credit cards that you have not used in the last six months.
Open credit is a prime target.
Order your credit report at least twice a year. Correct all mistakes on your credit report in writing. Send the letters return receipt requested. Identify the problems item by item and send with a copy of the credit report back to the credit reporting agency. You should hear from the agency within 30 days.