While there is no guaranteed strategy to avoid identity theft, people can minimize their risks and guard their personal information. The Federal Trade Commission offers the following guidelines to help keep consumers protected. GENERAL 1. Deposit all outgoing mail in mailboxes or in the mailing slots at the local post office. Never leave bill payments in an apartment lobby for the mail carrier to pick up. Before leaving on vacation, call or visit the post office and request mail be held. 2. Social security numbers should only be given when ab¬solutely necessary -- for example, on a job application. Do not include it when writing a personal check at a store or applying for mem¬bership at a video rental shop, grocery store price-saving club, and so on. 3. Keep all personal and account information in a safe place, preferably a locked drawer or cabinet at home. During renovations, house cleaning, or other types of service work done at home, keep personal information out of sight. 4. Shred credit card offers, health insurance statements, and any¬thing else containing social security numbers before discarding them. Use a cross-cut shredder rather than a straight-cut one. ATM CARDS 5. Never write a personal identification number on the back of a card or on a piece of paper in a wallet or handbag. 6. Do not choose a PIN that uses digits from a birth date, social security number, telephone number, or street address. CREDIT CARDS 7. Carry only the cards needed on a given day, and keep them separate from wallets and handbags. 8. Keep a record of account numbers, expiration dates, and the phone number of each credit card issuer in a secure place at home for quick reference in case of loss or theft. 9. When using a card to make a purchase, keep an eye on the clerk during the transaction and get the card back imme¬diately with any credit card carbons. Destroy the carbons. 10. When making an online purchase, be sure the Web site is secure; the "http://" address should change to "https://" (the 's' stands for secure), and a lock or key symbol should appear in a lower corner of the Web page. 11. Save receipts, and compare them against billing statements. If there is a questionable charge, call the card issuer immediately and follow up by writing to their billing inquiries address. 12. Sign new or replacement cards as soon as they arrive. Cut up the old card so the numbers cannot be read. 13. Never write an account number on the outside of the payment envelope. 14. Only give account numbers over the phone when initiating the call to make a purchase and when the company is reputable. 15. Every year, order a credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies to make sure it is accurate. Their phone numbers and addresses are listed at the FTC's Web site (www.consumer.gov/ldtheft) and linked to the Identity Theft Resource Center, Web site, www.idtheftcenter.org. Both sites also offer helpful resources for victims -- and those who want to avoid becoming victims.