How I Did It: Survived I.D. Theft — 6 Times

 I'm a lightning rod for identity theft. I've had my non-USAA bank accounts cleaned out six times. What used to be a terrifying event now feels like an annual financial rite, akin to filing taxes.

The first and scariest time hit about eight years ago. I logged into my checking account to find it $1,200 overdrawn, thanks to a series of ATM charges in Queens, N.Y. A couple of problems: One, I lived in Manhattan. Two: My ATM card was in my wallet and no one — not even my husband — knew my PIN. So what happened?

I liked to use sketchy ATMs, usually those conveniently located in the corner deli. Turns out, thieves also like to use these non-bank ATMs; they rig them to capture your card number and PIN. Use these off-label machines enough times and you're likely to get hit like I did. (I've even used an ATM that was installed in the middle of the sidewalk; I might as well have posted my credit card number straight into an online chat room for cyber thieves.)

But even when I play it safe, I've gotten hacked. Five more times, in fact. I once had a scammer order a Domino's pizza for delivery in Philadelphia and then sign for it. With my name.

So here's what I've learned: First, don't panic. It's scary, but banks are used to this sort of thing. In general, they will immediately freeze your account and reissue a new credit or debit card with a new number. You also get a chance to dispute any transactions.

If your card is stolen, your maximum liability, in most cases, is capped at $50 as long as you report it on time. But it's still frustrating to be cut off from your financial lifelines. When all my cash has been wiped out, it generally took a week to get reimbursed. In the meantime, I had to beg friends and family members for lunch money. Now, I keep a few twenties stashed in my sock drawer.

I also have a second credit card I never use. That way, I won't be stuck creditless while waiting for a replacement card to arrive.

Finally, I made the hardest change of all, for me: swearing off deli ATMs. I now mostly stick with big, reputable, well-fortified cash machines.

It's been two years since my accounts last got broken into — a personal best! I've switched my accounts to USAA Bank, and I like to think I've turned the corner and will henceforth defy the odds. But if it happens a seventh time, I'm calling the Guinness Book people. There's got to be a world record in here somewhere.

Stacy Cowley is the tech editor for CNNMoney and occasional personal finance and food blogger. Now that she is a USAA member, she can access all of the tools and advice we offer members in the fight against identity theft.