A clever ATM scam involves thieves inserting a thin, clear, rigid plastic sleeve into the ATM card slot. When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN number. Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you tap in your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has held your card and you leave. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and use your pin to empty your account. Avoid this by running your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get the sleeve out of the slot, and you'll be able to feel them.

When staying in a hotel, place all valuables in a safety deposit box at the front desk. Every state has an innkeepers' statute limiting their liability for missing items. If a valuable item comes up missing in your room, you may end up paying for it yourself. Hotels have several sizes to accommodate both large and small valuables.

Security in the workplace regarding voice mail or e-mail messaging is often overlooked. When out of town or on a vacation, never leave a voicemail or automatic e-mail message like "I'm on vacation in Italy for two weeks and I can't take your call." A better message would be "I am temporarily out of the office and unavailable to return calls, contact another extension for more immediate assistance." Thieves and even co-workers often look for this kind of information for easy targets. A recent study showed that 18 percent of working drug users stole from co-workers in order to support their habit.