Identity theft is not a new crime, but as Nye County Sheriff's Office Crime Analyst Ray Roberts points out, "It's becoming the fastest growing crime in the United States."

But you don't have to be a victim, and there are plenty of ways you can prevent your identity -- and usually your money -- from being stolen.

The sheriff's office offers a free, three-class seminar every week to teach residents what identity theft is and how to prevent it.

Each class lasts approximately two hours, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and focuses on various aspects of identity theft and prevention.

The first class, held on Monday night, focused on check and credit card fraud.

Attendees are taught what exactly constitutes identity theft (and what does not), how thieves acquire information from victims, and how to look at your individual security measures.

Roberts stresses that contrary to popular belief, identity theft is not limited exclusively to the Internet.

"Whether you get mail, email, or leave your car unlocked, you can become a victim," Roberts explained. The second class, Wednesday night, focuses on Internet safety and is geared towards parents protecting kids from kindergarten through 12th grade.

"One of the things we teach kids is not to talk to strangers," Roberts said. "Well, what are they doing online?"

The class teaches Internet users to become more aware of how they, and their children, are using the Internet, and how to use it more safely by avoiding potential scams or insidious pop-up windows.

Friday's class focuses on financial crimes against the elderly, identifying who targets them as victims, from family members to strangers.

All three classes focus on awareness and prevention, and all three overlap to some degree.

"Each one of the classes has a little bit of the others in it," Roberts said.

If you are interested in attending the seminar or one of the classes, contact Roberts at (775) 751-7030.