DENVER -- When you get a credit card offer in the mail, it's not enough to throw it out because in the hands of the wrong person, your junk mail can be turned into gold -- someone else's gold.

Identity thieves are looking for items that have Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or preapproved credit card offers.

And they are not always looking to the Internet to get that information.

Your trash bag may be all that's needed. By some accounts, 63 percent of the information stolen from people is physically taken -- often by a good Dumpster diver.

You're better off taking all credit card offers and other junk mail, and tossing it into a shredder, experts say.

Make sure to shred all financial offers and anything that has your name, credit card, driver's license, or Social Security number on it.

Check your credit reports at least once a year and if you suspect someone else is using your name or numbers, know how to make sure the report goes to the right places.

One of the best resources we’ve found for dealing with identity theft comes from the California Attorney General’s Office. We’ve deleted the specific references to California for obvious reasons, since laws vary from state to state. Again, I can’t stress enough that ultimately you’ll have to go through some of these steps the old fashioned way, in writing and sent via the US mail. It can and will be time consuming. And if you find your energies flagging, Call 7 for Help at 303-832-2557 and talk with one of our experts for some guidance, or maybe just for a little encouragement.

Tips for Victims

GENERAL GUIDE FOR VICTIMS OF IDENTITY THEFT

This information is provided to assist individuals who are victims or suspect they may be victims of identity theft. It is intended as a general guide, not as legal advice.

SOME THINGS TO DO IMMEDIATELY

Victims of identity theft must act quickly to minimize the damage. It is very important to keep good notes of all conversations and records of all correspondence with your financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, including a log of the names, dates and phone number of persons you contacted. You also should confirm the information in writing. Sending your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, will provide you with a record of your correspondence.

REPORT ID THEFT TO MAJOR CREDIT BUREAUS. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and report that your identity has been stolen. Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file.

· Trans Union - Phone: 800-680-7289 P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19016-1000. · Experian (formerly TRW) - Phone: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013. · Equifax - Phone: 800-525-6285 P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348.

FILE A POLICE REPORT WITH LOCAL POLICE OR POLICE WHERE IDENTITY THEFT OCCURRED. Get a copy of the police report and retain for your records. Credit card companies and financial institutions may require you to show a copy of this report to verify the crime. Keep the phone number of your investigator and provide it to creditors and others who require verification of your case.

CONTACT ALL CREDITORS. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the billing inquiries and security departments of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these accounts. Use passwords - not your mother's maiden name - on any new accounts opened. Confirm your contact in writing. Ask that old accounts be processed as "account closed at consumer's request." Avoid having a "card lost or stolen" reference because when this statement is reported to credit bureaus, it can be interpreted as blaming you for the loss. Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills and report immediately any new fraudulent activity to credit grantors.

OBTAIN FREE COPY OF YOUR CREDIT REPORT, MONITOR REGULARLY. Federal law now requires the three major credit reporting agencies to provide every individual with a copy of his or her credit report once a year. Beware of companies that advertise a free credit report and then tie it to some service for which you will be charged. The only way to get your annual credit report or reports is by calling 1-877-322-8228 or on the internet at www.annualcreditreport.com . Also, as a victim of identity theft, you may obtain a free copy of your credit report and should monitor activity every few months. Ask the credit bureaus for names and phone numbers of credit grantors with whom fraudulent accounts have been opened. Ask the credit bureaus to remove inquiries that have been generated due to the fraudulent access. Remember this is time consuming and involves paperwork rather than just a simple phone call. But it’s worth the effort.

Equifax - 800-685-1111

Experian (formerly TRW) - 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

Trans Union - 800-888-4213

CONTEST BILLS THAT RESULT FROM IDENTITY THEFT. Consumer and privacy advocates suggest not paying any portion of a bill which is a result of identity theft and not filing for bankruptcy. This will involve disputing credit card charges with the card company by writing to the address for "billing error" disputes - not the bill payment address. You should follow the directions given by the credit card company for disputing charges. This information must be provided by the company. Your credit rating should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you as a result of identity theft. If any merchant, financial institution or collection agency suggests otherwise, simply restate your willingness to cooperate, but don't allow yourself to be coerced into paying fraudulent bills. Report such attempts to government regulators immediately.

ACCESS INFORMATION IF ACCOUNT OPENED FRAUDULENTLY IN YOUR NAME. If a loan, credit or utility service account has been opened fraudulently in your name, you now can obtain a copy of the application used and a record of transactions or charges associated with that account. The information you learn may be useful in determining what personally identifying information was stolen, help clear your good name and credit, and even lead to the identity of the thief.

FALSE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUDGMENTS. Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the identity thief. If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken or debts incurred by your impostor, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact your state Department of Justice and the FBI and obtain information on how to clear your name.

FOR OTHER TYPES OF IDENTITY THEFT:

REPORT STOLEN CHECKS AND STOP PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the appropriate check verification companies. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Give the bank a secret password for your account (not mother's maiden name). If your own checks are rejected at stores where you shop, contact the check verification company that the merchant uses. To report fraudulent use of your checks:

· CheckRite: (800) 766-2748 · Chexsystems: (800) 428-9623 · CrossCheck: (800) 843-0760 · Equifax: (800) 437-5120 · International Check Services: (800) 631-9656 · SCAN: (800) 262-7771 · TeleCheck: (800) 710-9898

REPORT STOLEN ATM CARDS AND CHANGE PASSWORDS IMMEDIATELY. Get a new ATM card, account number and password. When creating a password, don't use common numbers like the last four digits of your SSN or your birth date. Monitor your account statement. You may be liable if fraud is not reported quickly.

FOR SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CHANGE OF ADDRESS, NOTIFY LOCAL POSTAL INSPECTOR. Call the U.S. Post Office to obtain the phone number, (800) 275-8777). Find out where fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the local Postmaster for that address to forward all mail in your name to your own address. You may also need to talk with the mail carrier. www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect

REPORT MISUSE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER BY CALLING SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. Order a copy of your Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy. The thief might be using your SSN for employment purposes. If you fit specific fraud victim criteria, the Social Security Administration may change your Social Security Number. Report fraud: (800) 269-0271. Order Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement: (800) 772-1213. Web: www.ssa.gov

FOR SUSPECTED MISUSE, CANCEL LONG DISTANCE CALLING CARD ACCOUNTS. If your long distance calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges, cancel the account and open a new one. Provide a password which must be used any time the account is changed.

FOR MISSING OR FRAUDULENT PASSPORTS, NOTIFY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT. Whether you have a passport or not, write the passport office to alert them to anyone ordering a passport fraudulently.

SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. You may want to consult a lawyer to determine legal action to take against creditors and/or credit bureaus if they are not cooperative in removing fraudulent entries from your credit report or if negligence is a factor. Call the local Bar Association or Legal Aid office to find an attorney who specializes in consumer law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Credit Billing Act.