Slightly more than 4.3 percent of American adults were the victims of identity theft last year, according to the 2009 Identity Fraud Survey Report, and the percentage is expected to go higher when wallets are lost and stolen in the holiday shopping season.

The average fraud amount per victim was $4,849 and took about 30 hours to resolve, The Javelin Strategy & Research Center reported.

Bensinger DuPont & Associates, an EAP provider, suggests:

* Monitor your bank account and credit card websites frequently.

* Don't give financial information over the phone or internet unless you're sure of the secure, trusted location.

* Pay attention to who's around you when using your cards in stores.

* Be sure to use anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer.

* Use credit and debit cards that provide zero liability if they're lost, stolen or used without authorization.