If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following steps immediately and keep a record of all conversations, dates, time, names, and telephone numbers. For every person or business you contact by telephone, follow up with a letter.

1.         Call the three credit reporting bureaus to place a "fraud alert" on your name and Social Security number.

Equifax- Report fraud at 800-525-6285, or Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374. Get a copy of your credit report at 800-685-1111, or Box 74241, Atlanta, GA 30374 orwww.equifax.com.

Experian- Report fraud at 888-397-3742, or Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013. Obtain a copy of your credit report at 888-397-3742, or Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013 orwww.experian.com/consumer

Transunion- Report fraud at 800-680-7289, or Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634. Obtain a copy of your credit report at 800-888-4213 or Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064 or www.tuc.com

Order credit reports from the bureaus when you call. They must provide them free if you have been a victim of identity theft and make your request in writing.

Follow up your calls in writing. Your main message, both on the phone and in writing is:

"My identification has been or may be used to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me by phone (give them your number) to verify all applications."

2.         Download the ID Theft Affidavit on this page and fill it out (or go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft).

3.         Fill out the Fraudulent Account Statement that is with the ID Theft Affidavit for each bank and creditor. You will need a separate Fraudulent Account Statement for each bank and creditor that you are going to contact because each one needs the separate account number.

4.         Call your local police department. Ask them to take a report, and either give you a copy of the report or its number. Get the name of the police officer you talk to. The police report is necessary to show to credit reporting bureaus, banks and credit card companies that you were careful to prevent fraud. Give the police department a copy of your completed theft affidavit.

5.         Send the ID Theft Affidavit and Fraudulent Account Statement to each creditor, bank or company where the thief used your identity. The Fraudulent Account Statement should have only the information needed by each specific company where you are sending it. Send them by certified mail, return receipt requested. Do this now.

6.         Contact all your creditors by telephone (use the "billing inquiries" numbers on your statements) and in writing and tell them about the fraud. Get new cards with new account numbers. Tell them to process your old accounts as "closed at consumer's request." Find out what documentation, such as the police report and/or the ID Theft Affidavit, that they need and then send it to them.

7.         Contact anyone to whom you might have written checks who have not cashed them yet, explain the situation and arrange another way or another time to pay.

8.         Watch your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraud. Within 60 days of a fraudulent billing, you can make a written dispute about the charges.

9.         Do not pay any bill or portion of a bill which is a result of identity theft. Do not cover any checks which were written and/or cashed fraudulently. Do not file bankruptcy. Your credit rating should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you. If any merchant, bank, credit card company, or collection agency suggests otherwise, simply restate your willingness to cooperate, but don't let yourself be bullied into paying fraudulent bills.

10.       Avoid any companies that offer to "repair your credit" for you. If you want it done right, do it yourself.

11.       Alert the phone company and utility companies that someone might try to open a new account in your name. Again, the drill is the same-phone call, followed up in writing.

12.       Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission identity theft hotline: 1-877-438-4338, or www.consumer.gov/idtheft   There are about 1,500 calls a week to the hotline. For information on credit laws, call 202-326-2222.

Here is some specific advice for the most common Identity Theft situations:

A)       Bad Checks or Bank Accounts

If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the check verification companies:

            Check Rite- 800-766-2748

            Equifax - Telecredit- 800-437-5120

            NPC- 800-526-5380

            Tele-Check-800-366-2425

            Chex Systems-800-328-5121

Put stop payments on any outstanding checks to that you are unsure whether or not they have been cashed and cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. If your ATM or debit card has been stolen, report it immediately. Get a new card, account number and password.

B).       Mail fraud

If you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address with the post office or has used the mail to commit fraud, notify the local Postal Inspector (800-275-8777). Find out where the fraudulent credit cards were sent and notify the local Postmaster for that address to forward all mail in your name to your own address. You may also need to talk to the mail carrier. If you believe your mail has been stolen, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

C).      Passport

Whether or not you have a passport, write the passport office to alert them to anyone ordering a passport in your name.

D).      Long Distance Calling Card

If your long distance calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges on your bill, cancel the account and open a new one. Get a password which must be used anytime the account is changed.

E).       Social Security Earnings and IRS

If you suspect that someone is using your social security number, you need to report to the Social Security Office at 800-269-0271, 800-772-1213 or www.oig.hotline@ssa.gov.You can order your Earnings and Benefits Statement at 800-772-1213. You should continue to follow up on your investigation on a regular basis. If the Social Security Office decides that there is someone else using your social security number, you can report this information to the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit at 800-829-0433; www.treas.gov/irs/ci.

F).       Driver's License Number

If someone has used your driver's license number as identification on bad checks, call the local Department of Public Safety office and report the fraud. Put a fraud alert on your license and request a new number. Also, fill out the DPS complaint form to begin the investigation process. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr040902.htm

G.       Traffic Ticket

If a traffic ticket was issued in your name as a result of fraudulent use of your driver's license number, you should contact the court where the traffic ticket was given and explain that another person is using your name and identifying information. It will probably be necessary for you to provide information showing that you were not in that county or state when the ticket was issued (for instance, a statement from your employer stating where you were during that time period). You should be careful to follow up on this ticket on a regular basis to make sure that a warrant is not issued for your arrest.

H.       Wrongfully Accused of Crimes

If you are the victim of identity theft and are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the imposter, contact the court where you are accused and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the local District Attorney or County Attorney and explain the situation. You will need to show that you were not in that county or state at the time of the crime.