One of the best ways to protect yourself from fraud is to reduce the amount of pre approved credit card offers you receive either in the mail or via electronic communications. If one falls in the wrong hands, it can be used to create a fake account for fraudulent purchases.

One way to control these types of offers is to visit www.optoutprescreen.com  Opting out of prescreened card offers makes it less likely that an ID thief will intercept them and take out credit in your name.

You can opt out for five years electronically or by calling 888-567-8688. Better yet, you can mail in a form to block pre-screened offers permanently. You may still receive offers from companies you currently do business with such as your bank or mortgage lender.

Jacky Kennedy Sisson is Surrey’s Personal Finance Manager.