From tax documents to the U.S. Census forms coming in the mail, taxpayers have a lot of personal information floating around this time of year. Experts say it's a good time to remind us about protecting our identities.

More than 70 percent of fraud happens within a week of the theft of personal information. Victims can have problems establishing good credit again, getting loans or even getting a job.

Credit Advisors tells Channel 6 the best advice is always to shred personal documents you don't need anymore. But the burden isn't on you alone.

"Talk to your employer," said Lisa Cameron of Credit Advisors. "Find out what their policies are about privacy. Are they shredding your personal information? Is this information showing up on your paycheck stub? By law they're not supposed to be doing that anymore, but you just want to make sure."

Some of us might also have concerns about the Census information we'll be filling out soon.

The Census Bureau's web site promises to protect the confidentiality of your information. Violators are subject to a fine up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison.

If you feel uncomfortable leaving your Census information, or any other sensitive documents in your mailbox, you can always drop them off at a post office.

For more information on identity theft, click here.

Find more details about confidentiality and the U.S. Census here.