Do you remember to sign your new credit card and debit cards as soon as you receive them? Do you shred your bank statements and think twice before inputting your account details online?

Your identity and personal information are extremely valuable. According to the Home Office, the annual cost of identity fraud - in which criminals steal people's personal information and use it to open bank accounts, make a credit card application or to apply for loans, - costs the UK economy around £1.7 billion per year.

However, the good news is that many of these crimes are easily prevented and there is much you can do to protect yourself. Remember these basic rules and top tips to ensure that your personal details do not fall into the wrong hands...

Home safe

It's a sensible idea to check your credit report, which will immediately reveal any accounts or credit illegally set up under your name and address. Organisations, including Experian, offer free identity fraud checks and access to your credit report online.

Basic Tips to help keep you secure

• Sign it: Make sure you write your signature with a ball point pen on all your credit cards and bank cards as soon as you receive them.
• Check it: Carefully go through all your bank and credit card bills to check for any anomalies. If in doubt about any transactions, contact your bank or credit card protection provider immediately.
• Shred it: Invest in a small electronic shredder for the home and get into the habit of destroying all your old receipts and statements.
• File it: Keep all your private documents safe and secure - store your passport, driving licence, and bank statements etc in a lockable cabinet or drawer.
• Post wise: Protect your post - don't forget to update your address details if you move home, and use a redirecting service to ensure nothing gets lost in transit. Also call your bank or credit card company if your statements are unusually late, as this could mean your post has been intercepted.
• Guard your cards: Keep only essential cards in your wallet and if you lose one, report it immediately.
• Be cautious: Beware of unexpected requests for personal information - and only give it out on the phone if you are sure of whom you are talking to. Never send personal account information by fax.

Web wise

If you regularly shop, do your banking or pay bills online, are you taking advantage of the latest security tools and following the basic rules to protect your online identity? Here are some tips that will help:

• Password protected: Always use a strong password - a mix of letters and numbers - and make sure that all your usernames and passwords remain private.
• Firewalled: Download the latest packages for firewalls and online security, and install up-to-date anti-virus software onto your home computer.
• Security coded: Sign up for the Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode schemes- an online security service that guards you against unauthorised use of your Visa or MasterCard® card while shopping online. It's easy and free of charge.
• ID locked: There are also insurance products on the market that, for a small monthly fee, will provide you with extra ID protection..
• Scam free: Watch out for phishing scams - emails pretending to come from a trusted source that try to lure you into parting with information - and only use secure websites. (Look out for the padlock symbol or website addresses with the "S" in https\\:).

Social media - be savvy

Social networking sites - from Facebook to a host of special interest forums - are now hugely popular in the UK, with new sign-ups steadily on the rise. And as we all know, there have been widely reported cases of criminal misuse of information revealed on social networks. Enjoy your social networking sites without comprising your safety by following these guidelines:

• Never publish your mobile phone number or your home address- and think twice about including your birthday as your date of birth is key to building your identify profile.
• Overly cautious as it may seem, make sure that the photos you upload do not reveal where you live or work or provide identifying information you don't want to reveal.
• Take full advantage of privacy features offered by social media sites in order to restrict access to your profile and control who you let into your network.
• Staying alert will help you to quickly discover if you've fallen victim to this type of crime, if not prevent it from ever happening at all. If you suspect you've been a victim of fraud, contact your credit card company immediately. For further information and advice about protecting your identity, visit http://www.identitytheft.org.uk

Halifax Secure is part of the global 'Verified by Visa' and MasterCard SecureCode programmes. Enrolment is free and lets you shop online with participating merchants in complete confidence.

Halifax offers a complete range of bank accounts and personal investment products. Whatever you're looking for: from savings to personal loans, a mortgage or a credit card, at Halifax we aim to give you a little extra help. We even offer help with your home insurance and travel insurance too.