1. Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year. By checking your report on a regular basis, you can catch mistakes and fraud before they wreak havoc on your personal finances. Don't underestimate the importance of this step. One of the most common ways that consumers find out that they're victims of identity theft is when they try to make a major purchase, like a house or a car. The deal can be lost or delayed while the credit report mess is straightened out. Knowing what's in your credit report allows you to fix problems before they jeopardize a major financial transaction.
   
   - How to get your credit report and understand it
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2. Know what's in your wallet. Sixteen percent of victims have attributed their identity theft to a lost or stolen wallet. So you're prepared if your purse or wallet is stolen, place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine and copy both sides of your license, credit card, etc. Then you will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
   
   If you suspect ID theft, immediately close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
    
3. Checkbook safety: The next time you order checks, only print your first initial (instead of first name) and last name on the checks. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initial or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
   
   When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, do not put the complete account number on the memo line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
   
   Consider not printing a phone number (or use your work phone) on your checks. That way, you can write in your phone number only when required.
   
   If you have a P.O. box, print that on your checks instead of your home address.
   
   Never print your Social Security Number on your checks. (If you have it printed, anyone can see it and use it with malicious intent.)
    
4. Protect your private information. Shred documents showing account numbers before throwing them away. Destroy old credit cards - don't just toss them into the trash. Lock your mailbox or use a PO box to keep your personal information safe.
    
5. If you think your ID has been stolen:
   
   Immediately contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file and Social Security Number. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.
   
   

Equifax - www.equifax.com
To report fraud, call: 1-800-525-6285 and write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

Experian (formerly TRW) - www.experian.com
To report fraud, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

Trans Union - www.transunion.com
To report fraud, call: 1-800-680-7289 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
TDD: 1-877-553-7803

Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

File your complaint with the FTC that maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

Contact the FTC Identity Theft Hotline by phone at 1-877-438-4338; TDD: 1-202-326-2502 or by mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580 or online at: www.consumer.gov/idtheft