There are so many new ways to steal and defraud consumers out of their money. You should be aware of new identity theft scams. After all, knowledge is your best protection.

People will go through your dumpster, steal your mail, take your wallet, eavesdrop on your cell phone calls, intercept your faxes and hack into your computer. Email scams and internet scams abound. Twenty percent of all identity theft cases involve the telephone or internet. The other 80% are a little more personal.

Here are a few scams that you should be aware of:

The Credit Card Scam Alert

You get a phone call from a credit card company employee that tells you there may have been some fraudulent charges to your account. They ask for the code on the back of your card as a confirmation of your identity.

You should never give that number to anyone who calls you and asks for it. They may be very professional. They might even explain to you how a scam works. You should call your credit card company number listed on the back of your card and confirm that they made the call. Chances are that they didn't.

Account Verification Emails

This scam is also known as phishing. You often receive an official looking email from your bank or ebay or paypal that asks you to verify your account information. You may even be asked for your credit card number or Social Security number. Don't reply. Just delete the email and notify the company. Never give your account information to anyone who contacts you. Contact the company through its website or by telephone if you have questions.

The Nigerian 419 Scam

This is an email from the representative of a foreign government, often Nigeria, that asks you to help move money from one account to another. An estimated $100 million a year is lost to this scam. This Nigerian scam makes up 12% of all scam offers, according to a recent National Consumers League poll. It can be in many variations, including a dying woman, a soldier and other countries.

The Canadian Lottery

You cannot win the lottery without first buying a ticket. If someone tells you otherwise, it is a scam. This scam can cost you over $20,000. If you receive this scam offer in the mail, turn it over to your local postal inspector.

Free Credit Report Email

They aren't seeking you out to give you a free credit report. This is often a way of getting your social security number. Make sure that you never enter your credit card information in the process of obtaining a free credit report. If you do, you will pay.

Questionnaires

These often come from an "old friend" or chat room friend. It is usually a questionnaire that is then used to find out your birth date, passwords (through your favorite things) and even your social security number. Don't answer these or even reply. Simply delete the email or throw the mail away.

You should never give out your Social Security Number unless it is absolutely necessary. You do not have to give it to apply for a job. Simply state that you will provide it once hired. Some people break into offices just for the information on those job applications. Other jobs aren't legit, just a way to get personal information.

Anything that appears off or out of the usual, often is. Trust your gut and don't give out any information.