<human>:  What are some ways to protect against identity theft?
<bot>: Monitor your financial accounts closely and regularly for any unusual or unauthorized activity.2 Use strong passwords and be sure to change them frequently.3 Be wary of responding to unsolicited emails or phone calls, especially if the sender or caller is asking for personal information.4 Shred or destroy financial documents before discarding them.5 Be careful when providing personal information online.6 Only use secure networks when transmitting financial or personal data.7 Utilize anti-virus and anti-malware programs that can identify and help prevent malicious software from being installed onto your computer.8 Place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your accounts.