The fraud department at any one of the three major credit bureaus. Ask for a fraud alert to be placed in your file at all three ompanies. The alert tells lenders and other users of credit reports to be careful before opening or changing accounts in your name. Also followup with a letter. The special toll-free numbers for the fraud departments are: Equifax at 800-525-6285, Experian at (888) 397-3742 and TransUnion at (800) 680-7289. Get addresses and other details at www.equifax.com, www.experian.com and www.transunion.com.

Your bank, credit card company or any other financial institution that may need to know. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department, and follow up with a letter. If necessary, close old accounts and open new ones, and select new passwords and “PINs”(personal identification numbers).

Your local police or the police where the identity theft occurred. Fill out a police report that will detail what happened and get a copy for future reference.

The Federal Trade Commission. Call toll-free 877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). Fill out a complaint form online at the FTC’s ID Theft Web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Or, mail a letter to: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. An “ID Theft Affidavit” available on the FTC Web site also can be used to help you prove you are an innocent victim and help you keep debts you did not incur from appearing onyour credit report.