Every year more than 3 million American find out that there were credit cards opened in their names mostly by stolen mail and telemarketers not to mention online scams. Here are a few tips to protect yourself on and offline.

1. You can get your credit checked free once a year.

2. Waive the warrenty card: These companies sell your information in a heart beat, why would you need to know how much I make a year. Sears got caught doing this a couple of years ago. Just keep your recipt, that should be good enough.

3. Don't expect any help from the Post Office, they'll still deliver a mountain of junk mail to you. If I had a fireplace I'd use it for starter paper.

4. To unsubscribe from spam e-mail you may have to do it 3 or 4 different times for it to take and it normally takes at least 30 days to take.

5. This recently happened to me, be extremely careful of who you give your SS # to, these people are pro's and sound legit and could be crooks in disguise.

6. Remember that credit card companies aren't always on your side, they're running a business and they will get you with extra charges if they can.

7. Invest in a good quality small shredding machine, nothing is foolproof but shredding your mail and other paperwork is a good idea.

8. Remember if you're a victim to contact law enforcement immediately and the FTC website to register yourself as a victim.

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