BY: KRYSTALE NORIEGA

The Federal Trade Commission is teaming up with the United States Postal Service in an effort to educate the public against identity theft.

Identity theft is a serious crime that has many sources and every year people from all walks of life become its victims.

Though only 2 % of the nation's population reported that identity theft happened to them through the mail, local post offices are taking part in the effort to lower that percentage down to zero.

In his 24 years of working with the United States postal service Mel Hill says identity theft is becoming more prevalent.

"We have people call in about whether or not they think something is fraudulent I think that they are if its too good to be true usually," says Postmaster Mel Hill.

A letter from the national postal service warns the entire nation about the perils of identity theft.

"During March 2-8, we are having national consumer protection week. It's just to educate the public and consumers against fraudulent mail scams."

Identity theft is a serious crime, so, it's important you deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

The FTC suggests you first.

Shred all financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.

Protect your social security number. Put your card in a safe and secure place.

Don't ever give out personal information on the phone, through mail, or over the Internet, unless you know whom you are dealing with.

When you are online, don't use obvious passwords like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your social security number.

And lastly, keep your personal information in a secure place at home.

If you do suspect fraudulent activity hill says there is one thing you can do.

"They can bring it in from their letter and I turn it in to our inspection service and they can go from there," says Hill.

You can also file a police report. Call your local police department and tell them that you want to file a report about your identity theft.