I know it is still early for holiday shopping, but never too early to practice safe shopping.  It was reported recently that in 2008 nearly 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft.  The tips below should provide you precautions to make sure that you are not added to the list, whether shopping at your local mall or hitting the send button on your computer:

At home:

• Monitor your credit.
• Look over your credit card statements as soon as you receive them for unauthorized purchases.
• Be discrete about leaving personal information around your home.  Unfortunately, many victims knew the person who had taken their personal information and often times it was a relative or family member.
• Copy both sides of your credit card.  In case of loss you will have all the information to provide authorities.

At the shopping center:

• Carry a debit card, in lieu of cash, but be careful of someone "shoulder surfing" you when you are at an ATM.  Shoulder surfing is when someone can see your PIN and bumps into you taking your card and cash.
• Credit cards are good to carry because you can alert the credit card companies immediately in case of theft.
• Be aware of your environment and try not to be distracted by the sights and sounds of the season displayed at the mall.
• Be selective about the types of identity documents you carry, if you don't plan on writing checks - leave your checkbook at home.
• Safeguard your receipts when you make purchases.  The information contained on your receipts included credit card numbers and often times your signature.

Shop safe and enjoy the upcoming holiday season!