Identity theft is a leading type of credit card fraud - and is frustrating to experts because it can often be avoided.

Identity theft can lead to a depleted credit rating, huge debts and the stress that comes with having your personal financial history ruined by a complete stranger. The aftermath of identity theft can be daunting and can be avoided using the following tips to ensure credit card safety:

Watch where you Use Your Card

Where do you use your credit card? Using your credit card with reputable stores and reputable internet websites can help you to avoid identity theft. It is important to be safe when shopping on the internet. Shopping on the internet should include websites that are secured, which you can tell from a locked padlock sign on the bottom of the page of the browser. Be sure that you read the company's information to ensure that you feel comfortable giving this website your financial information. After all, once this organization has access to the credit card number - it can grant them access to much more of your financial history.

Shred Credit Card Statements

Before you throw credit card statements in the trash, it is important to shred the pieces of paper as they contain vital information about your credit card history and numbers. These numbers can lead to identity theft, with as little as a trash bag. The information found on the credit card statement can be used to gain access to another card - before you even know what has happened. Shredders can be purchased for as little as twenty dollars and are an investment which should be taken advantage of before throwing any important financial documents in the mail.

Read Your Statement

There are many customers who simply pay the amount which is requested on the credit card statement without looking, or questioning the purchases that had been made that month. Reading your statements can assist in catching activity that you have not authorized, before this activity gets out of hand. Contact the credit card company immediately if you have any questions about suspicious activity that is appearing on your credit card statement.

Remove Yourself from Mailing Lists

There are literally hundreds of pre-approval letters sent to consumers on a daily basis. Removing yourself from these lists can leave you safe from identity theft, in which the new applicant can fill in address and other personal information to obtain a credit card in your name. There are instances of this occurring in which you are not even aware that a credit card has been opened.

Using these tips, you can begin to take the measures which will reduce the chance of your identity being stolen by a neighbor, acquaintance or common criminal. Protect your identity; it is the most important aspect of your financial history that can determine your credit score.