Identity theft is a growing concern for many people. It is spotlighted often on the news and shows like Dateline Mere thought of Identity theft causes alarm bells to ring in many a mind and can result in giving the victim all kinds of emotional pain and financial trouble.

Misuse of your personal documents and licenses like social security number, checks, credit cards, drivers license is classified as Identity Theft.

Luckily, there are many easy tips you can use to protect your identity. Do not presume them to be completely effective. But they can make you less likely to be a soft target.

Your documents like medical bills, bank statements and so on contain a lot of personal information, therby being a top concern.

You would think in this computer-centric world, they could finally put a stop to all of these paper bills and documents and just send you everything electronically but that is not going to happen yet.

Until then, you have to take care to shred and destroy such records. This can be a daunting task to do by hand so an electric shredder is the best way to go. A little common sense and knowledge can go a long way in protecting you from identity theft.

You can put the shredded stuff to good use also, like bedding for pets.

In addition to documents, there are many things that should be common knowledge but can be overlooked. It is advisable not to keep your checkbook, birth certificate, or social security card in your wallet or purse.

Your top most worry is checks.

Simply because so much personal information is disclosed on a check,like bank account number and routing number, and as if it was not sufficient, I have found some people to be in the habit of noting their social security number on the check as well!! DO NOT do that.

Protect yourself from identity theft, get more information here - legal issues of identity theft and electric utilities and identity theft red flags.