In the 1990s, a new variety of crook emerged: the identity thief. An identity thief co-opts some piece of your personal information---credit card or social security number, name, address or telephone number---and appropriates it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.

Identity thieves may steal your mail or your wallet, rummage through your trash for credit card receipts or bank statements, establish a new credit card using your name, SSN# and date of birth and even write counterfeit checks or obtain debit cards under your name.

A thief may even complete a change of address form to divert your mail to another location, pose as a landlord or employer who has a "legitimate" need for your personal information or buy a car by taking a loan out in your name.

You can minimize your risk by being careful with whom you share personal information. Call your credit card company if your statements do not arrive in time or if there are unauthorized charges on your bill. Guard your mail against theft by promptly removing it from your mailbox. Keep all credit card receipts in a special folder. Give out your SSN only when absolutely necessary.

It is difficult to completely thwart an identity thief, however, you can minimize the risks by taking the above steps. Here is what you can do if you are a victim of identity theft.