The first step you need to take in order to avoid identity theft is to be aware of your overall financial picture. This means you should monitor your checking and savings account balances, as well as your credit card statements and stock portfolio on a monthly basis at a minimum. By doing this, you’ll be able to notice any unauthorized withdrawals or charges, and take swift action to limit the damages. Unusual activity in your accounts can also signal that your passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs) have been compromised somewhere along the line. Since these codes are often the first line of defense in helping to avoid identity theft, you’ll have to change those ASAP. These are some of the best identity theft protection technique that you can use.