IDENTITY THEFT A good deadbolt on your door will not protect you from one of the more modern and sinister crimes: identity theft. Here is what you need to know. Someone could steal your identity by:

• stealing your wallet or purse
• filling out a change of address form for you and collecting your mail
• snatching pre-approved credit forms from the trash
• ordering unauthorized credit reports on you by posing as a potential employer, landlord or even you
• gathering sensitive information and using it for revenge (former friend, lover, roommate or co-worker)
• illegally tapping a computer at a business to which you have provided information
• looking over your shoulder at phones and ATM's to gather PIN numbers (sometimes using binoculars or listening devices)
• using phony telemarketing schemes to con you into giving your personal data. NEVER GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE OVER THE PHONE OR COMPUTER.

What can I do to protect my identity from theft?

• Change passwords and PIN numbers regularly. Do not use obvious codes such as birthdays, names of spouse, child or pet. Shred any paper that shows such data.
• Carefully review credit card statements, phone and other bills. Promptly respond to any inaccurate information.
• Always take your credit card receipts. Never throw them away in public.
• Tear up any offers of pre-approved credit cards. Never throw away the envelope intact.
• Never give personal information over the phone or computer.
• Beware of anyone asking for your Social Security number.
• Pick up new checks at the bank instead of having them sent to you by mail.
• Never mail bills by placing them in your home mailbox. Take them to a mail drop.
• Do not put personal information on a computer home page or personal computer profile.

If my identity is stolen, what should I do? If someone steals your credit cards, driver's license, Social Security number or any other type of identifying information about you, that person has stolen your identity. As soon as you are certain of the theft, do the following:

• Contact the police
• Cancel debit and credit cards, ATM cards and phone cards
• Call the credit bureau for a fraud alert.
• Equifax: www.equifax.com or 800-525-6285
• Experian: www.experian.com or 888-397-3742
• Trans Union: www.transunion.com or 800-680-7289

Tell the credit bureaus that you are an identity theft victim and request they place a "fraud alert" note in your file and a statement asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts or changing existing accounts.

• Report stolen checks to your bank.
• Alert the post office if you suspect the thief may have filed a change of address form in your name.
• Contact phone companies.
• Last resort changes: new Social Security number and new driver's license number.

The federal government maintains a website devoted to identity theft: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/