You'll additionally get a free copy of your credit score report -- check it and keep in touch with the credit score bureaus until they correct any fraudulent costs or accounts you discover there. Bank card companies limit your liability on fraudulent purchases, and you'll dispute false prices. A financial savings account that has no checks issued and is not linked to any debit card shall be much harder for a thief to gain entry to. If you keep a big sum of money in your fundamental checking account, then all that cash is susceptible if someone steals your debit card or writes checks in your name. Once you ship mail, use secure, opaque envelopes so no one can learn account numbers or spot checks simply by holding them up to the sunshine. Only use ATMs in safe, properly-lit places, and don't use the machine if somebody is standing too shut or looking over your shoulder.