To help consumers protect themselves from what is often open season on unsuspecting shoppers, Delta Community Credit Union provides these "Top 10" tips for keeping their identities, and their money, safe:Regularly check credit reports 

1. Review all transactions on statements and bills 
2. Secure or shred personal documents 
3. Create complex passwords that combine numbers, letters and symbols 
4. Use challenge questions with answers that are not on social media profiles 
5. Only visit secure websites and online retailers 
6. Look out for phishing or suspicious emails and attachments 
7. Install the latest security patches, firewalls and virus protection on home computers 
8. Password protect computers and mobile devices 
9. Bank with a secure credit union or financial institution

"Nothing can ruin the holidays faster than having your identity stolen and losing money," says Matthew Shepherd, chief operating officer at Delta Community. "Financial institutions want to protect their customers and we know that consumers are their own best first line of defense. We believe these tips will arm them with the knowledge they need to protect themselves from fraud."

These tips, which are outlined in detail on the Delta Community website blog, can help keep personal information secure and minimize any compromise before it leads to financial hardship.