Personal checking accounts and credit cards are wanted by thieves. They want to be you … for a little while and just enough time to empty your checking and saving account and charge for outrageous purchases.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. The number of identity theft incidents reached 9.9 million in 2003 according to the Federal Trade Commission. Dollar amounts reported ranged widely from 34 percent who reported thefts of under $1,000 to 18 percent reporting thefts of over $10,000.

Stolen credit card numbers, checking account information and total identity kidnapping can damage your credit rating, cost you money and take huge sums of your time to clear up.

Preventative measures include checking your account statements carefully each month and keep an eye out for suspicious activity on your credit report. Burn your sensitive papers or use a paper shredder for making sure personal information and pre-approved credit offers don't end up in the wrong hands. Make sure you don’t leave carbon copies of receipts with the cashier