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Every week, nearly 10,000 Americans become victims of identity theft. That’s more than 500,000 this year.

Could you be next? It depends a lot on how you handle your Social Security number (SSN), your mail and credit information. If you answer "yes" to four or more of the following questions, you could be at higher risk of having your identity stolen. Consider taking the precautions suggested below or implied in the questions.

Do you receive several offers of pre-approved credit weekly? Do you toss them in the trash rather than tearing them up or shredding them? Investing in a paper shredder and using it to discard all credit related items, including bank statements, will prevent account numbers from being stolen from the trash.

Do you typically carry your Social Security card? Do you carry another form of ID containing your SSN, such as your driver’s license or insurance card? Avoid keeping your SSN in your wallet or purse. Ask for it not to appear on your license and do not print it on your checks.

Do you use an unlocked, unsecured mailbox at home or at work to receive mail and drop off outgoing mail? Investing in a P.O. box or a locked mailbox can help prevent theft.

Do you store financial information on your computer? If you do, and use a high-speed Internet connection, do you use a firewall and update virus protection software frequently?

Have you ordered a copy of your credit report during the past two years? Check your reports to make sure no fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name and no unauthorized changes have been made in existing accounts. Check reports from the three leading credit reporting agencies for less than $10 each: (Equifax, 800-685-1111, equifax.com; Experian, 888-397-3742, experian.com; Transunion, 800-916-8800, transunion.com.)

A related article on identity theft will appear in the November/December issue of Our Ohio.