In order to gain complete protection against identity theft, make sure that all the papers are properly shredded before being thrown into the trash. Also ensure that your credit card does not go out of your sight in restaurants or departmental stores. If you are unsure of the authenticity of a place then prefer paying by cash instead of using your credit card. The same thing applies even for online shopping. Do not purchase online if you are not sure about the authenticity of that site.
By following some simple tips you can reduce the risk of identity theft considerably.
In fact you must make a habit of reviewing credit reports from time to time. This helps to know in case any fraud or theft has occurred. These reports clearly state the opening of any new accounts or the applying of any new loans. This allows you to clear the matter with appropriate authorities before it gets too late. You can even approach a lawyer to handle such identity theft cases.