In today's computerized, networked society, it is easy to fall prey to an identity thief. By obtaining your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other personal information, an identity thief can open new credit card or bank accounts using your name and wreak havoc on your financial status.

However, there are ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft:

Never give your Social Security number out, unless absolutely necessary. If you are making an internet purchase online, do not give your Social Security number to a vendor. If the vendor insists, do business with someone else.

Cancel credit cards that you don't use or need, and carry as few as possible in your purse or wallet. Also, make a list of your credit cards (include the telephone number you need to call for lost or stolen cards) and keep it in a safe place.

Do not give personal information such as your birthdate, mother's maiden name, Social Security number or bank PIN number over the phone, unless the person is someone you know or have already done business with.

Avoid using common numbers, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number or your birthdate, when creating passwords and PIN numbers.

Destroy credit card receipts, pre-approved credit applications and other financial information before throwing them away.

Request a copy of your credit report from one of the credit reporting agencies on a yearly basis. Look for any information that does not match your records. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. But there’s only one online source authorized to do so. That’s www.annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar.

If you do become a victim of identity theft, you must act as quickly as possible to resolve the problem and minimize the damage.

Contact the major credit reporting agencies and notify them of the problem. Request that your account be flagged and that you be contacted to verify all credit inquiries. Also, request that they provide you with copies of your report every few months so you can ensure the problem has been corrected. Please note that there may be a charge for this service.

Contact your creditors and request new account numbers for the accounts that have been used fraudulently.

Report the crime to your local police or sheriff's department and obtain a police report. You may need to show the police report to creditors and banks in order to verify the crime.

WHERE TO FIND HELP

Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports.

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too.

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA
30374-0241.

• Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com; P.O. Box
9532, Allen, TX 75013

• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance
Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Visit Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft website for more information: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.html