With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is encouraging consumers to learn about identity theft and take action to prevent from becoming a victim of this crime.

"Criminals can steal your identity by using information stored on credit and debit cards, from receipts or other things carried in a purse or wallet," said PCCD Chairman Walter M. Phillips Jr. "Be mindful that criminals are actively looking for identity theft opportunities this time of the year. Be smart: create an identity theft action plan and protect yourself."

PCCD has some tips consumers can use to protect themselves against identity theft:

• Do not carry all of your credit cards, Social Security card, passport, and birth certificate with you. Carry them only when needed. Reduce the number of credit cards you carry to a minimum.
• Memorize your Social Security number, passwords and PIN numbers --do not use your birth date, phone number or last four numbers of your Social Security number.
• When you obtain a new credit card, sign it immediately and add, "Photo ID Required."
• Report all lost or stolen cards immediately to the credit card company, the three credit bureaus and your local police department.
• Photocopy, or keep a list or of all your credit cards, bank account numbers and phone numbers of customer service and fraud departments in a secure place (not in your wallet), so you can quickly contact them if cards are lost or you suspect fraudulent activity.
• Save and match credit card receipts with monthly statements. Check online accounts daily.

The PCCD ID theft Web site enables consumers to print and personalize an "Identity Theft Action Plan" that they can quickly use should they become the victim of identity theft.