Things get hectic during the holidays, and identity thieves are counting on consumers to get wrapped up in the rush and be less careful than they normally would be. But despite the crazy pace, you can be prepared and keep scammers and thieves from taking away your holiday spirit.

If you shop online, make sure you do so only on secure sites. You’ll know a site is secure when it has “https” in the URL, instead of just “http.” This means your information will be safe, because the site has a secure connection.

You will likely see an increase in phishing attempts. Most people get lots of holiday mail, both online and in their mailboxes. Scammers are hoping that along with all those holiday jokes, greetings and good wishes, a phishing attempt or two may fool you. One of the most common phishing scams involves getting an e-mail that appears to be from your bank, asking you to verify information, and sometimes warning that your account will be frozen or closed if you don’t respond. You can bet this scam will be in play this holiday season, but there may be other incarnations as well. Don’t click on links in unsolicited e-mails. Period.

Make sure your computer has the latest anti-virus software on it, and that you make your passwords difficult to decipher. Change them often, and don’t use the same one for every site you use.

When you’re out shopping, it will be tempting to use a public Wi-Fi connection. It’s best that you don’t. Thieves know public Wi-Fi makes for easy pickings, and they will be out in force during the holidays.

And a final tip: Consider using your credit card when you shop online, instead of your debit card. Credit cards have more protection, and you have the right to dispute charges if something happens. A debit card is a direct line to your bank account.

Remember to simply be cautious this holiday season – be wary and avoid a blue Christmas.

The Federal Trade Commission has estimated that an average of 10 million people fall victim to identity fraud each year. The scary part is that they don’t even need a lot of information to do it – just one critical piece of information, like your Social Security number, will do.

The 2011 Identity Fraud Survey Report by Javelin showed that after climbing every year since 2003, the number of identity fraud incidents has begun to decline. The amount of money involved has also declined. The average cost per victim, however, went up, which Javelin experts said is because of the increase in the thefts of debit card information, which don’t have the same protections against loss as credit cards.

But why are the number of identity theft crimes declining? Javelin credits increased efforts by law enforcement to combat this particular crime, as well as fraud detection systems and the behavioral changes by consumers. More and more people are signing up for credit monitoring services, and are more aware of the tricks of the identity theft trade. And since they are more aware, consumers are more prepared to prevent identity theft from happening.

This makes it clear – while you can’t stop a thief from trying to steal your identity, there are definitely things you can do to squash the attempt. Do all you can – and protect your identity.

But what can you do to fight identity theft? Awareness is key. Be aware of the ways that personal and financial information is stolen, and learn what you can do to protect your information. Monitor your personal and financial information to discover any problems so that you can take action quickly. Know what to do if you think your identity has been stolen.

If you have fallen victim to identity theft, you may find out only when bill collection agencies contact you about overdue debts you know nothing about, when you apply for a loan and are turned down, or if you get something in the mail about an apartment you never rented or a job you never held.

There are practical things you can do that will make an enormous impact on the safety of your information. Shred all documents that bear your personal or financial information before disposal. Make sure you don’t give your passwords to anyone, make them difficult to decipher, and change them often. When online, do not post personal information, and only do business on secured sites. Never open unsolicited e-mails, and don’t click on any links contained in e-mails or sent to you via social media sites.

First of all, keep your passwords and PINs private – don’t give them to anyone. Period. Likewise, you should also keep your Social Security number private. Don’t give it to anyone unless you are sure of how it will be used and protected.

If you receive unsolicited requests for confidential information, whether it’s by e-mail, telephone, text message or social networking sites, even if they are marked urgent, do not respond. You may receive messages asking for account numbers, passwords or other information – these are likely phishing attempts aimed at getting you to reveal your information to an identity thief. You shouldn’t include passwords, account numbers or other personal information in an e-mail or social media message either.

Make sure your computer is protected with a firewall, and the latest in anti-virus and spyware detection. When you are using a wireless connection, be sure that it has adequate security and encryption.

Make sure you review your bank and credit card statements regularly and if you find an entry that is fraudulent or incorrect, report it immediately.

Shred any documentation bearing your personal or financial information before you throw it away. This includes receipts and pre-approved credit offers.