If you're a victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to minimize the damage done. Contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus and ask that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file. Order copies of your credit reports from the credit bureaus; a free copy of your report must be sent to you if your report is inaccurate because of theft or fraud.

Second, contact the creditors (credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities) for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. It is important to follow up with a letter, for that is the consumer protection procedure the law spells out for resolving errors on credit card billing statements. Open up new accounts with new PIN numbers and passwords.

And third, file a report with your local police or the police in the community where the theft took place. Obtain a copy of the police report to deal with your creditors.

You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by contacting the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20580. Online: www.consumer.gov/idtheft.