Since the dawn of the internet Age, identity thieves have worked tirelessly to steal your personal information and finances. While more consumers are aware of the threat such fraud poses, the problem continues to grow rather than shrink. A recent article over at Yahoo! Finance interviewed a former credit card thief and provides some suggestions in keeping your information safe.

1. Vigilance

It seems like the advice to "Keep an eye" on your accounts has been hammered into our collective minds over and over again, but it still doesn't ring any less true. The faster you are able to spot an erroneous charge on your card, the quicker you can deal with the problem before it spirals out of control. You can also check your credit report at least twice a year to be sure there aren't any outstanding charges that have fone unpaid (that you are not aware of).

2. Watch Your Online Shopping

Shopping online has grown exponentially in recent years, and a slew of consumers now shop online exclusively. Yet even with the advent of increased security, you need to be careful. Always verify that the site you are shopping at is reputable, and abuse check for reviews from other consumers.

3. Don't Buy From E-mail

While most spam e-mails are easy to spot and filter, phising scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. You could receive e-mails that look exactly like those of a popular retailer, but your best bet is not to bite. By avoiding e-mail ads entirely, you can take an extra step to protect your information.

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