1. Use the lowest octane advised by your owner’s manual. Using a higher level than recommended provides no added benefit.
   
2. Empty your trunk. Carrying extra weight decreases fuel efficiency.
   
3. Combine trips. Taking separate trips from a cold start uses more gas than covering the same distance with a warm engine.
   
4. Drive smart. Fuel efficiency decreases at speeds above 60 miles per hour, and starting and stopping quickly uses more gas than driving smoothly.
   
5. Keep up on routine maintenance. Change your oil, keep tires inflated, replace air filters and tune your engine according to recommendations in your owner’s manual for the best fuel efficiency.

1. Take a "staycation." Explore the local attractions the Capital Region has to offer. From museums to galleries, restaurants to local farms, nature hikes or theme parks, learn new things about the community you live in. Why not save on mileage and hotels by taking a good look at something closer to home?
   
   
2. Divide the ride. Whether your kids take part in one or many extra-curricular activities, dropping off and picking up can be a scheduling nightmare, not to mention the toll it takes on your gas tank. Sign up at dividetheride.com and enter in your children’s activity schedules. Then, invite parents from each group, and dividetheride will set up a carpool schedule for everyone. Get reminders via cell phone or e-mail when it’s your turn to drive!
   
   
3. Celebrate National Bike Month. Each May is National Bike Month – celebrate by joining your local league, or just by biking to work or with your children. But you don’t have to wait for spring – as long as the weather’s warm, bike instead of driving. If two-wheelers no longer entertain you, try a new type of bike – tandem or unicycle – to keep the thrill alive.
   
   
4. Be flexible. Take advantage of any company policy that allows for flex scheduling. By staggering your day so you avoid driving at peak times, you’ll waste less time – and gas – in rush hour traffic.
   
   
5. Smart Park. If your property includes a garage, park your car inside whenever possible. This will help the car stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so it takes less energy to reach a comfortable climate.
   
   
6. Make it a Commuter Choice. Many companies in the US are offering incentives to employees for carpooling, walking to work, or giving up their parking spaces through a program called Commuter Choice, which is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Visit www.commuterchoice.com for more information or to find service providers that can help your company get started.

Sharing Personal Information

"The woman had access to my driver's license, Social Security number and my mother's maiden name," Katie says. "She used this information to apply for credit in my name."

Over the course of a year, the woman posing as Katie applied for multiple store credit cards and purchased computers, cell phones and stereo equipment. She racked up thousands of dollars in debt - all in Katie's name.

Damaging Credit Profile

Katie was unaware of the severe damage done to her credit until she received a phone call from a credit card company wanting to verify her information.

"I said I didn't apply for a credit card, and the operator said I should put a fraud alert on my credit report," Katie says. Initially, Katie put a 90-day fraud alert on her credit report, which requires companies to verify a person's information before issuing credit. This alert prompted a second credit card company to contact Katie when another credit card application was submitted in her name.

"I got concerned, so I ordered my credit report from the three credit bureaus," Katie says. "I found five or six different things on my credit report that I didn't apply for."

Recovering from Identity Theft

Katie spent countless hours contacting the companies of the fraudulent accounts, alerting law enforcement agencies that she was a victim of identity theft, and piecing facts together herself. The culprit was eventually caught and prosecuted, but not without taking an emotional toll on Katie. Although Katie was not responsible for the charges accrued, she had to deal with credit repercussions such as a lower credit score for a while and still sees unauthorized activity from time to time.

"Every once in a while, something will show up on my credit report and I have to call the company and explain about the fraud," Katie says. Luckily, the thief did not try to access Katie's banking accounts - although Katie thinks she would have known about the identity theft faster if the culprit had.

"I keep such a good eye on my banking accounts," Katie says. "But I didn't think to keep a close eye on my credit report."

Taking Precautions

Since that day 10 years ago, Katie has been mindful of her credit and has taken steps to feel more secure, such as ordering her credit report annually, removing her name from preapproved credit card mailing lists and putting herself on the do-not-call registry. She warns other people to do the same.

The Federal Trade Commission has put together a comprehensive resource bank to help consumers learn about the crime of identity theft, providing detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft. Access publications, take quizzes, watch videos, learn more about what the government is doing to protect consumers - all in one central place.

http://www.onguardonline.gov/index.aspx †

This site provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information.

http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/idthft_ncpw.htm †

Information published by the United States Postal Service regarding Identity Theft. Site includes information on how to report suspected fraud if you believe you're a victim of identity theft.

http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm †

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a nonprofit consumer information and advocacy organization that provides resources on privacy rights, including information about identity theft and scams designed to obtain personal information to use fraudulently.

http://www.annualcreditreport.com †

Take precautions against identity theft by monitoring your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus annually - It's free when you use this website. Check to make sure that all information is correct and verify that there are no unauthorized charges.