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It’s a feeling that sends chills down your spine. You feel alone, confused, and angry. Unfortunately it is a feeling experienced by many people each year — it’s the feeling caused by identity theft. Claiming millions of victims each year, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes against personal finance in the United States.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft affected nearly 10 million Americans last year.

As part of a nationwide grassroots consumer education outreach, Money Management International, the nation’s largest nonprofit credit and debt counseling and education agency, has partnered with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and other NFCC member agencies to offer financial education in recognition of Protect You Identity Week (PYIW), October 17 - 24, 2008. Protect Your Identity Week is designed to help people gain access to free information on prevention and learn what steps to take if they find themselves a victim of identity theft.

To kick the week off, the financial experts at MMI offer the following tips to safeguard your personal information:
Don’t leave your wallet or statements lying around — even at home.

Don’t carry Social Security cards or anything with your Social Security number on it.

Keep track of your credit card receipts and carbons.
Never tell anyone your card number over the phone, unless you initiate the phone call.
Never allow your credit card number to be used as identification.
Collect your mail regularly and destroy unwanted credit solicitations.
Monitor your credit statements.

Source Money Management International