If you haven't heard about identity theft yet, I'm not sure where you've been. Unfortunately, a criminal doesn't have to be terribly bright or have expensive equipment to find out a lot about you, including your credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other private information that could be used to spend your money without your authorization.

I have already gone through the basics to protect myself. I never carry anything with my Social Security number on it in my wallet or purse. I shred all our mail.

It used to be that you could only get a free copy of your credit report if you had been declined for a loan, but now, with the heightened awareness of fraud running rampant, we are able to get a free look at our credit report once every 12 months.

AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can also request your report by phone or mail.

AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

This program is being rolled out gradually across the country; it is available to Arizona residents now.

By the way, if you are contacted by any company that says they can 'fix' your credit for you, beware! Read this first: Credit Repair Scam

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