As you hop from store to store, you’re probably watching your accounts to make sure your purchases are still within budget. But there’s more to keep an eye on … like protecting your identity.

1. Make sure your mail (post) is always safe

Keep your mail in a locked postbox at home, so no one has access to your mail/post. Consider using a private PO Box at Postnet for example. It’s super important to ensure your mail is redirected when you move to a new address, you never know who moves to your old address. When traveling, make sure your mail/post does not pile up, this is an obvious sign that you are not home.

2. Do you read your monthly statements? You should

Each month open all of your statements for bank accounts, credit cards, etc. to check for purchases that you do not recognize. Many companies allow you to check your account statements/balances online – this is a great way of checking regularly that there are no unauthorized purchases/debits on your account.

3. Check your Credit Report regularly

You are entitled to free credit reports! Why not Splendify your life & sign up for your FREE credit report online? You can view this as often as you want & information is updated in real-time! View your credit report and look for errors in your personal information or accounts that you do not recognize. Sign up here on Splendi by clicking on the button at the top of this page to access your credit profile for FREE – it’s free for life. This is a great way to protect your identity and ensure there is no unusual movement on your credit report.

4. Shred! Shred! Shred!

Identity thieves are becoming more creative! They are known to go through garbage cans & refuse dumps looking for your financial information. Once you are finished with a financial document use a shredder to dispose of it. Don’t have a shredder? Then cut up any cards, statements, and financial information into pieces, making it super hard to leave a trace of any of your financial info.

5. Store personal documents at home

Some people like all of their important things in one place — like a purse or wallet — but this can be disastrous if your purse or wallet is stolen or lost. Leave your ID Card, & any credit cards that you don’t use on a regular basis, at home. Keep important documents such as; birth certificates, immigration documents, passports, insurance policy information & bank account information in a fireproof lockbox at your home or in another secure location, like a bank safety deposit box. Not under your mattress!

6. Be super wary of unknown phone calls and emails

Never give out personal information via phone or email—even if they claim to be your bank. Unsolicited phone calls and emails could be scams, so watch out for them. Never click on links within emails whose addresses you do not recognize. Some are “phishing” scams that are trying to access personal information on your computer. Identify them as “junk” or “spam” in your email and set up a rule to never receive them again.

7. Create difficult logins and passwords

Identity thieves can access your information by hacking into your computer by decoding your passwords. Keep your passwords safe by avoiding: family names, important dates, or any words that can be found in a dictionary, keep them long, and use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Be sure to change them regularly! Also avoid using obvious keyboard patterns for your passwords: 1qazxsw2 or qwerty, for example. Do not store your passwords on your computer. The same applies to your cell phone. While it is a pain to enter a password every time you open your phone, this will provide you with some security in the event that your phone is lost or stolen. Also, take advantage of system updates to make sure your phone has the latest security systems. Fingerprint unlocking is best! If you can use it on all your devices – the chances are, you won’t lose your finger in a hurry!

8. Use one credit card for online shopping

Once a hacker is successful, they can start making use of credit cards that you use for online purchases. To reduce this risk designate one credit or debit card for all purchases you make online. Look for websites that use secure payment portals like PayFast, PayPal, Ozow, Peach, etc. They are in the business of ensuring your personal information is safe.

9. Keep your security, virus, and spyware software up-to-date

It’s easy to skip over the prompts to update software. Don’t. Take the time to update your security, virus, and spyware software when prompted. Do not click on links that pop up when you are online claiming to be security updates. These may be links to viruses or spyware—the very thing you are trying to protect against.

10. Be social media savvy – yes, this is where you need to be extra careful!

Some identity thieves might be trolling around social media sites looking for identifying information or vacation pictures indicating that you are not home. Information on social media sites is often used to figure out passwords. Make use of social media privacy settings and save your “wish you were here” photos for once you return home after having holiday fun!

Identity theft is a nightmare that can keep you up at night, but it doesn’t have to become a reality. Do your due diligence, and make sure you’re protected!