More than 33 million Americans-about 1 in every 6 adults-have had their identities used by someone else since 1990 according to estimates by the Federal Trade Commission. Use of other person's names in financial transactions has become so common that it is no longer a matter of whether you are going to be a victim but when and how often.

ID thieves only need three things, (and sometimes less); your full name, your social security number and your date of birth. Once this information is acquired they can open bank accounts in your name allowing them to pass bad checks, drain your current accounts, receive credit cards, order cell phone service and much more. Besides ruining your credit-they can ruin your good name.

Once this process has started it may be months before you find out. You may only know your credit has been damaged when you are turned down for a loan, credit card or if you receive bills for transactions you did not authorize.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself:

1. Check your monthly credit card, bank and other financial statements and bills with great care to verify you actually made the charges you are billed.

2. Order your credit report at least annually from each of the three major credit bureaus and check for errors.

3. Never give your passwords, credit card numbers or Social Security number in response to an email or telephone call you did not start. Identify thieves are very good at disguising themselves as reputable companies or service providers.

4. Use a shredder to destroy vital information containing account numbers, birth dates and social security numbers. Also shred all pre-approved offers you receive in the mail.

5. Don't pay bills, bank or conduct other financial transactions on a public (i.e. library) computer-Destroy all CD's or floppy disks containing sensitive data.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO CORRECT AN IDENTITY THEFT

1. If you find that your name and credit have been used for a transaction you did not authorize, you should report this to your local police department immediately. You must get documentation of this police report which you can then use to correct your accounts with financial institutions and credit reporting agencies.

2. You must report the unauthorized transactions in writing to the financial institution which is holding you responsible. This includes credit card companies, banks and credit reporting agencies. Merely making phone calls does not protect your rights under Federal and State laws. In the absence of written notice, the financial institution does not have to investigate your complaint, correct your record or do anything to respond to your report of identity theft.

3. The financial institution or credit reporting agency will require proof that you did not authorize the transaction you are disputing. They will require a police report showing that you reported the transaction you dispute as a theft and also an affidavit. You can find the form for an ID theft affidavit at the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft  

4. You should call the major credit reporting agencies to get addresses and instructions. Call and write: Equifax, 800-685-1111, P.O. Box 105851, Atlanta, GA 30348; TransUnion, 800-888-4213, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022; and Experian, 888-397-3742, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013. In your communication with the credit reporting agencies you should ask to have your account "flagged" if you suspect someone else is using your name so that no further use of your name will be allowed without a security check.

WHAT MY OFFICE CAN DO

1. Your chances of repairing the damage quickly and at minimum cost will be greatly increased by paying a modest fee to insure that all letters and other communications are sent to the right persons in the proper form so that the required investigations are done within 30 days and your account is purged.

2. If the above steps are not done in the right way, then your account may not be corrected and the damage to your credit can only get worse.

3. I can properly report the identity theft to the financial institution, bank or credit reporting agency. No matter how bad the damage to your credit may be, unless it is promptly and properly reported and documented, you may be left with both a big loss and a lack of legal remedies. Getting my office involved immediately protects you against this.

4. Substantial verdicts have been awarded to victims of identity theft. I have handled a number of cases against credit card companies and credit reporting agencies. The sooner I have gotten involved, the faster I have been able to resolve any problems to the client's satisfaction.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE HAD YOUR NAME USED BY SOMEBODY ELSE, CONTACT MY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.