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Identity theft at the mall

Holiday shoppers should take special care to protect their identities from thieves, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Increased spending during the holiday season provides more opportunities for criminals.

When shopping, carry the bare minimum of personal information. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid carrying additional credit cards, a social security card or a passport.

Shield your hand when entering a PIN number at a store or ATM, and always take the receipt. Don't throw it into a public trash container or leave it on the counter. Shred any unwanted documents that have personal information-credit card numbers, bank statements, charge receipts or credit card applications-and monitor bank and credit card statements to make sure all transactions are accurate.

Theft of personal possessions is generally covered by homeowner's and renter's insurance policies. Depending on your situation, you may also want to consider identity theft insurance, which provides reimbursement to crime victims for the cost of restoring their identity and repairing credit. Identity theft insurance generally covers expenses such as phone bills, lost wages, notary and certified mailing costs, and sometimes attorney fees (with the prior consent of the insurer).

For more information, call 800-251-7189 to speak to a AAA Colorado insurance agent.