Some 500,000 to 700,000 Americans a year are at risk of having their identities stolen, according to government and private sector estimates. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to establish credit, borrow money, charge items or even commit crimes in your name.

While the incidence of Internet identity theft is growing, fraud experts agree that you still are more likely to become a victim of this federal crime by more traditional means, such as improperly discarding credit card or other financial data. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming an ID theft victim and what to do should you be stung by one of these thieves.

• Never respond to unsolicited requests for your social security number (SSN) or financial data.
• Before discarding, shred credit card, ATM receipts and any pre-approved credit offers you have received, but don't plan to use.
• Check all credit card and bank statements for accuracy.
• Avoid easy to figure out access and personal ID (PIN) codes.
• Obtain a copy of your credit report yearly and check it for accuracy.
• Use only secure sites when making online purchases. Secure pages begin with "https."
• Pay for online purchases by credit card to assure you get what you paid for and limit your liability.
• Safeguard your SSN, and check Earnings and Benefit statements annually for fraudulent use.

If you find you have become a victim of identity theft, immediately take the following actions:

• File a police report.
• Contact your banker.
• Notify all of those with whom you have a financial relationship.
• Tag accounts closed due to fraud, "Closed at consumers request."
• Notify credit bureau fraud units.
• Establish a password for telephone inquires on credit card accounts.
• Place a fraud alert statement on your credit report.
• Request bi-monthly copies of your credit report until your case is resolved (Free to fraud victims)
• Report check theft to check verification companies.
• Check post office for unauthorized change of address requests.
• Follow-up contacts with letters and keep copies of all correspondence.

Suspect ID theft if you're denied credit for no apparent reason or if routine financial statements stop arriving in a timely manner.

Credit Reporting Bureaus:

To order your report:
Call: 800-685-1111
Or Write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To report fraud:
Call: 800-525-6285
(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.)
Or Write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To order your report:
Call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Or Write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013

To report fraud:
Call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742),
TDD (For the hearing impaired): 1-800-972-0322
Or Write: P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013

To order your report:
Call: 800-888-4213
Or Write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

To report fraud:
Call: 800-680-7289
TDD (For the hearing impaired): 1-877-553-7803
Or Write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634

• Report Fraud 800-269-0271
• Order Benefits and Earning Statement 800-772-1213

• Check Rite 800-766-2748
• Chexsystems 800-428-9623
• CrossCheck 707-586-0551
• Equifax 800-437-5120
• National Processing Co 800-526-5380
• SCAN 800-526-5380
• TeleCheck 800-710-9898

• Federal Trade Commission - www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• Americans for Consumer Education - http://www.acecusa.org/tips/items/idtheft_01.asp
• The Privacy Council - www.privacycouncil.com/links_optout.htm