"When everyday essentials, like wallets or drivers licenses, are stolen or go missing, identity fraud often follows," says Joe Reynolds, identity fraud product manager at Travelers. "Credit cards, driver licenses and other sources of personal information enable criminals to commit a fraud or crime all in your name."

One piece of advice Reynolds offered is that consumers check their financial statements each month to detect any suspicious activity and contact their financial institution immediately.

Consumers should also protect themselves by:

• Only carrying essential credit cards and keep critical documents in a safe and secure place.
• Avoiding scams by not disclosing personal information if a consumer receives an unsolicited request.
• Shredding old bills and financial statements.
• Storing purses and wallets in a safe place.
• Not printing account information on an envelope of outgoing mail.
• Exercising caution when sharing personal information on social media.
• Checking free credit report annually for the national credit reporting agencies.

Travelers offers Identity Fraud Expense Coverage as an endorsement on a homeowners policy for $25 annual for up to $25,000 per insured person with no deductible. The policy includes identity fraud resolution services. The carrier also offers identity fraud expense reimbursement coverage to financial institutions and commercial entities as an employee, customer or membership benefit.