As temperatures drop across the country, it is important to remember that the winter months bring the majority of the year's snow & rainfall to the Midwestern United States, causing cresting rivers, backed-up storm drains and saturated ground, all of which can lead to devastating floods.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing! Whether you're shopping online or in-store, here are 9 tips for keeping your identity safe from theft.

III - Holiday Shopping Season Has Begun; Protect Your Identity and Your Credit

www.iii.org

"The hustle and bustle of the holidays creates the perfect opportunity for thieves bent on stealing your credit cards or other financial information," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. "Shoppers are tired, stores are crowded and it's easy to become less guarded about personal information that appears on personal checks, drivers licenses and credit cards."