Identity theft continues to be a rising problem throughout the country.

Thieves are stealing credit and debit card numbers and making fake currency.

But even those of us still using checks are at risk of becoming the latest victim.

"People are still using checks. Usage is decreasing of course with the increase of debit and credit card usage, but people are still writing paper checks," said Kathy Jansen, VP of compliance with Cloverbelt Credit Union.

And they're still at risk of identity theft.

Banks and credit unions recommend consumers put as little information as possible on their checks.

"Many people now with checks are just putting their name and address, some people are even only putting their initials rather than their first name," Jansen said.

The precaution will lessen the risk of personal information falling into the wrong hands.

But most retailers won't accept a check without those very details.

"With checks we require we see a state ID or drivers license. We have to have that ID or license number," said Jason Koplin, assistant manager at Ace Hardware in Weston.

He says it protects the business if the check is bad.

"We've had a lot of bad checks in the past year or two. The only way we can go after these checks is if we have an ID number of a license number," he said.

And for the customers not willing to give that information, there's always cold, hard cash.

No matter what methods you use, pay attention.

"Probably the most important thing you can do, is balance your checkbook," Jansen said.

If you find a discrepency on your statement, contact your financial institution immediately.