You'll additionally get a free copy of your credit score report -- check it and stay involved with the credit bureaus till they right any fraudulent fees or accounts you discover there. Bank card companies limit your liability on fraudulent purchases, and you can dispute false costs. A financial savings account that has no checks issued and is not linked to any debit card will probably be much tougher for a thief to realize access to. If you retain a large amount of money in your main checking account, then all that cash is vulnerable if somebody steals your debit card or writes checks in your name. When you ship mail, use secure, opaque envelopes so no one can learn account numbers or spot checks just by holding them as much as the sunshine. Only use ATMs in secure, well-lit areas, and don't use the machine if someone is standing too close or wanting over your shoulder.