RECONCILE YOUR BANK AND CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS MONTHLY. Make sure that there is nothing suspicious or out of the ordinary on your statements. Review your account statements carefully and question transactions that look unfamiliar. If you don't receive your statement when you are expecting it, contact the bank. (Sign up for First United Bank's FREE FirstNet Online Banking service where you will have real-time access to your account information).

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT, TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY. Contact your local police department, First United Bank, the three major credit reporting agencies and the Federal Trade Commission at (877) IDTHEFT. Their web site is www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

GUARD YOUR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (PIN)s. Do not keep your pin with any of your credit or ATM cards.

PAY BILLS ONLINE OR USE A LOCKED MAILBOX TO AVOID MAILBOX THEFT. You are less likely to have your personal information stolen online than from your mailbox. Have your new personal checks delivered to First United Bank. (Sign up for First United Bank's Bill Pay service today).

PAY ATTENTION TO THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WRITE ON YOUR CHECKS. For example, when you pay your credit card bill, don't list the entire credit card number on the "for" line. For even greater protection, use an online bill payment service (Sign up for First United Bank's Bill Pay service today).

DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION such as checking account, credit card or Social Security Numbers over the phone unless you initiated the call. Don't carry your Social Security card with you and don't print your Social Security Number on the checks.

CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. The three major credit-reporting agencies are required to provide you with one free credit report a year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain yours. Once you get your report, look at it carefully. Is all your information correct? Are there any accounts or addresses that aren't familiar? Does the number of inquiries seem reasonable? Any unusual information may indicate identity theft. Contact the agency's fraud hotline right away. You also have the option of adding a consumer fraud alert that will require creditors to contact you whenever a new account is opened in your name.

BE WARY OF "PHISHING" EMAILS THAT APPEAR TO BE FROM A VALID COMPANY OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REQUESTING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Legitimate organizations typically do not send unsolicited emails asking for confidential information. Do not reply to these emails or click on links embedded within them.

AVOID PASSWORDS THAT ARE EASY TO DISCOVER LIKE YOUR MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME OR YOUR BIRTH DATE. Regularly change your passwords. Also, create a username that is unique and difficult for others to guess.