Protect from Fraud During Holiday Shopping

In the coming weeks, millions of Americans will head to stores and shop online for their holiday gift purchases, but it's important that they take all necessary precautions to protect their personal and financial information.

There are a number of steps all consumers should take during this holiday season to protect against the threat of identity theft, according to a report from ARA Content. One of the simplest ways to do this is to be cautious. Consumers should never let their purse or wallet out of their sight, and only carry credit cards and IDs that they will absolutely need. It may also be helpful to only take out a credit or debit card when they're sure no one can see the number.

And when shopping online, consumers should always be absolutely sure they know who they're turning their payment details over to, the report said. Making sure websites are legitimate and secure is the best way to protect private information.

Adam Levin, chairman of Identity Theft 911, writes a regular blog about how consumers can protect their personal information and other issues related to identity theft.