1. Review and Protect Your Information - The first line of defense in financial fraud is to periodically check your credit report to ensure all your information is accurate. Remember there are three credit agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) which all operate independently. Make sure you check your credit report from all three because they may each have different information.

2. Age Matters - If you are over age of 50 you are more likely to be targeted for financial fraud. Therefore, keep this in back of your mind as you handle your daily tasks and personal information.

3. Monthly Bills – If your monthly bills stop arriving, take action quickly. Notify company right away. Also, review your monthly statements promptly and if you see charges or items on your bills that you do not recognize get them resolved immediately.

4. Social Security Number – Keep your social security number in a safe place with other financial documents. DO NOT carry your social security card in your wallet and remember to shred your old social security statements. It is also recommended to not store your social security number on your computer as hackers may have access to it. Never print your social security number on your checks, credit card or drivers licenses.

5. Incoming / Outgoing Mail - Pick up incoming mail promptly and do not send outgoing mail in your residential mail box. Make every effort to keep your mail as securely as possible when it leaves your house.

1. When you make a purchase with credit card, it is akin to taking a loan from your bank. What you have borrowed has to be returned - so do not borrow beyond your capacity to pay it back.

2. Always be aware of your outstanding credit card balances. This will help you determine whether you can make additional purchases. Even small purchases can really add up to big balances and substantial interest charges.

3.Any credit card receipts should be kept until you can compare them to your monthly statement. If you find any purchases you did not make, or higher charges than those on receipt, contact your credit card company immediately.

4. don't give your credit card to anyone, not even friends and family. Its not that you cant trust these folks but it would be really difficult to track purchases if you are not only one making them.

5. don't ever borrow more than your ability to pay it back. If you do and consequently arent able to pay it back, it can hurt your future ability to obtain other forms of loans such as home mortgages, car loans etc.

6. Pay your credit card bills on time or even before they are due. Doing so will not only help improve your credit scores, but also help avoid additional costs associated with late payment charges and accrued interest.

7. Try to have your credit card bills paid in full every month. To ensure this, budget your credit card purchases on a monthly basis and then don't allow your purchases to exceed that amount.

8.Keep your credit cards for new purchasing. don't pay one credit card bill with a different credit card. This will inevitably lead to more charging and higher balances.