GAINESVILLE, Tex. ― The fastest growing crime in America right now is on the rise in Texoma as well. Identity theft is expected to increase during the holiday season. Rashi Vats explains what to watch out for.

With the holiday season coming up, police say they expect to see more cases of identity theft, but there are ways to keep your identity safe.

Lawanna Wisian says she always carries a gun, as the police chief for Gainesville Independent School District, but that didn't stop her from becoming a crime victim.

Two weeks ago, Wisian went to Wal-Mart to use her debit card.

"When I swiped it, it was denied. I called the bank and found out that my checking account had been wiped out completely. Matter of fact, I was in the negative," Wisian says.

Wisian says the thief lives in Gainesville, Florida, and still has not been caught.

Wisian is not alone. According to a Federal Trade Commission survey, 9.9 million victims reported their identity stolen last year.

"If you use a credit card or fill out any type of paperwork, you can be a victim. You want to be like years ago where you didn't have to lock your house or anything. Those days are gone. You just have to be protective of anything anymore," Capt. Jim Blaeything of Gainesville Police investigations says.

The most common way thieves find information is dumpster-diving.

"People actually go through dumpsters looking for old credit card receipts," Captain Blaeything says.

"It can happen to anyone. I don't think there is a true precaution. I really don't," Wisian says.

But Captain Blaeything says there are some preventative measures.

• Shred any personal information, credit card statements, or bank statements.

• Be careful at ATM's, because there are 'shoulder' surfers who will get right behind you to try to see your PIN number.

• Put passwords on your accounts and not common choices like your mother's maiden name. Blaeything recommends you make up a fictitious word.

• Don't put your telephone number on your checks.

If you are already a victim, notify your banks, the police, and loan agencies and get a credit report.

A common trend today is to carry a miniature credit card on your key chain, but police say this is a very dangerous and easy way criminals can access your credit card.

Officials also recommend obtaining a free credit report from your bank once a year.