Don't be a victim

Caroline

Identity theft can happen to anyone. And at college, you're particularly vulnerable . You lock your apartment and your car, right? Your identity is much more valuable, so guard it just as carefully as you do your other possessions.

Here are some tips to keep your identity safe:

• Check your snail mail . Don't ignore your mailbox, even if you don't expect any mail. You may be receiving credit card offers or other mail that could be swiped by an identity thief. Check your mail every day.

• Watch your personal possessions. Studying in the library and need a break? Don't leave your backpack, laptop  and other personal items unattended.

• Keep a skinny wallet. If you lose your wallet, you'll need to cancel any credit cards immediately, so the fewer you carry, the better. And don't keep your Social Security card in your wallet at all. Make a photocopy of the cards in your wallet, and stash the copies in a safe — you'll be able to cancel them in a flash if need be.

• Shred, shred, shred. Don't just toss junk mail and other paperwork with personal information on it. Identity thieves are notorious for raiding garbage cans. Invest in a paper shredder and use it liberally.

• Check your bank and credit card statements closely. Whether you rely on hard copy or online statements, check them regularly for suspicious activity.

• Get a copy of your credit report  annually, for free. Again, you want to check for any suspicious activity, such as name or address changes, or accounts you don't recognize.

These are just a few ideas. Got any other tips or personal experiences to share?