What to do if your identity is stolen

• Immediately contact the fraud department at each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union (see back panel for phone numbers) to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.

• Order copies of your credit report (see Free Annual Credit Report Available).

• Contact creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Speak to their security or fraud department and send a follow-up letter. Close the fraudulent account.

• File a report with the local police where the identity theft occurred. Obtain a copy of the police report just in case the credit card company or bank needs proof of the crime. This can also help you when dealing with creditors.

• Take steps to ensure your mail, personal information and other data are protected.

How to prevent identity theft

• Minimize the amount of information a thief can steal. Avoid carrying extra credit cards, your social security card, birth certificate or passport in your wallet or purse.

• Never keep your PIN (personal identification number) on or near your ATM or credit card. Memorize these numbers and discard them.

• Have your name removed from marketing lists of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.

• Never give your credit card number or other information over the phone unless you initiated the call and trust the business.

• On your computer, update your virus programs and use a secure browser to guard the safety of your online transactions. Don’t download files from strangers or click on hyperlinks from strangers.

• Install a locked mailbox at your residence to help reduce mail theft.

• Keep a list or copy of all your credit cards, their account numbers, expiration dates and the telephone numbers of customer service or fraud departments in case your cards are stolen.

• Place passwords on your credit card, bank or phone accounts. Don’t use easily available information like your birthdate or the last four digits of your social security number for passwords.

• Cancel unused credit cards and bank accounts.

• Find out who has access to your personal information at work and verify that your records are kept in a secure location. Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well.

• Tear up, cut up or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications or offers, checks, bank statements and expired charge cards before throwing them out.