Has Your Indentity Been Stolen?

If you have had the unfortunate encounter of having your identity stolen take the following steps:

Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and asked to speak with the fraud department.

* File a police report;

* Complete the ID Theft Affidavit on the Federal Trade Commission's website (www.ftc.gov);

* File a complaint with the FTC in addition to completing the Theft Affidavit (www.ftc.gov).

* Do not throw anything away that someone could use to become you. Use a cross-cut shredder and shred all materials that include your personal information including credit card offers, loan applications, credit card and ATM receipts.

* Do not place your telephone and social security numbers on your checks and have check reorders delivered to your bank, not home.

* Request your Department of Motor Vehicles issue you an alternate driver's license number instead of using your social security number. A lot of states have already begun this practice. If your state has not be sure to request an alternate license number.

* Request organizations use a different ID number instead of your social security number. Don't give your social security number out unless it is absolutely necessary and even then challenge the fact of why another number can not be used verses your social security number.

* Get credit cards and business cards with your picture on it and sign the cards with your signature and following statement, "Please see driver's license" so store clerks will check for additional ID. Major banks such as Bank of America and Chevy Chase Bank are good places to start to get your photo and signature on the front of credit and check cards issued by the bank.

* Do not put personal information on the internet unless it is a secured site using encryption. Look for the gold lock usually found at the bottom of the screen on the left or right side at the bottom of the web page.

* Monitor all bank and credit card statements monthly and report any suspicious activity immediately.