Identity theft is far more common than people think and it costs the economy about R1-billion each year.

As the white-collar crime of choice, it's fairly easy to pull off. There are about 20 cases reported in South Africa every day, so follow these tips to be safe rather than sorry:

• Safeguard your ID book and passport -- if you lose them or they are stolen, report the theft to the police immediately and register for the South African Fraud Prevention Service's free protective registration service. You will need to supply a case number.
• Check and double-check your bank statements and your credit card statements every month and investigate anything suspicious immediately. Unauthorised activity will show up on statements. If your credit card is stolen, report this immediately and close the account. Don't carry extra credit cards, either.
• If you have accounts you don't use, rather close them than allow them to remain open and inactive.
• Don't simply throw away papers, statements or documents listing your personal or financial details -- shred them or tear them up.
• Be very careful when you give out your ID number. Who are you giving it to, and why? Is it absolutely necessary? Also consider taking out identity theft insurance -- some companies include this in their portfolios.
• Check with credit bureaux that nobody has been making enquiries against your name.

The South African Fraud Prevention Service's hotline is 0860 101 248.