What follows are some very good tips on getting organized
and protecting your identity.

    Thieves work every quickly to order expensive cell phone packages, apply for credit cards, have credit lines approved to make large purchases, receive PIN numbers from the Motor Vehicle Department to change your driving record information on line, and much more.     28% of identity theft is financial (credit and debit cards).     The rest is social, driver's license, medical and criminal.

    Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:   Cancel your credit cards immediately, the key is to have the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily.

    Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc.     You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.     Place the photocopy in a safe place.

    Keep the photocopy in a safe place.     Also carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.     We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.

    File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation.

    But here's what is perhaps most important:   Call the three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number so that further misuse can be stopped. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.     This tactic seems to stop identity thieves in their tracks.

    The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them, if someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

    Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone.     Use a PO Box instead of your home address, if you do not have a PO Box use your work address.     Never have your social security number printed on your checks you can add it if it is necessary but have it printed and anyone can get it.

    When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete credit card account number on the "For" 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.

The numbers to call are: