By Linda Lanouette District 7 Committeeperson

I never used to think much about identity theft or identity fraud until it happened to me. These thefts or frauds are serious crimes committed when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal information or data in a fraudulent or deceptive way. This crime could bankrupt you and can happen in the blink of an eye.

It is in many instances one of the hardest crimes to prosecute, unless you know who it is. I know, because it happened to me. In the United States and Canada, many people have reported that funds were taken out of their bank accounts or other personal accounts. In the worst of the cases, the thieves take the identity, running up huge debt and even committing crimes while using their victim's names.

In many cases, these losses may include not only financial losses but substantial additional costs associated with trying to restore their reputation in their community and correcting erroneous information caused by these criminals' acts. Many people do not realize how easy criminals can obtain our personal information without having to break into our homes.

In public places, these criminals engage in "shoulder surfing," watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling cards or credit card numbers, or they may listen in on your conversation if you give your credit card number over the telephone. Even your home or office may not be secure. Some criminals "dumpster dive" going through your garbage or trash bins looking for copies of your credit card receipts, banking information or other personal information.

With these copies, it lets criminals gain access to your accounts and assume your identity.

If you received applications for "pre-approved credit card applications," but you didn't shred them before you discard them, the criminal can retrieve and activate the card in your name without you knowing until it's too late.

In recent years, the internet has become an appealing place for criminals to obtain identifying data

such as passwords or even your banking information. People first learn to explore the exciting features of the internet and do not pay attention to tracing information placed on their machines by websites. Another way thieves obtain information is through unsolicited E-mails that promise some benefits and request identifying information.

In the end, the criminal has no intention of keeping their promise; they just need your information to complete their crime. A criminal can then take over the individual's identity and conduct crimes like false applications for loans, credit cards or even make a withdrawal from

your bank or credit union. The federal government prosecutes cases of identity theft and fraud under a variety of laws. In 1998 Congress passed the "Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act." This makes it a Federal Crime, or it is at the very least a felony under state and local laws. Indiana is now one of 40 states to allow customers to place a freeze on their credit reports.

Consumers must send a letter to all three credit agencies, asking for the freeze on their credit reports. Sample letters you can use can be found at http://www.indianaconsumers.com. This freeze is helpful because it makes it difficult for people to obtain credit in your name without going through the password and codes you have set up with these agencies.

This step will help ensure that companies are dealing with you and not a criminal posing as you. The anxiety, time, expense, lost sleep, and endless harassment by creditors that want you to pay a fraudulent bill is exhausting. It's not worth it, even with the help of a well-versed attorney like our UAW/ GM Legal Services folks. There is a lot of stress involved in identity theft.

You must take the necessary steps to protect yourself. I know,  I had to learn the hard way, don't let it happen to you!

For additional info on fraud alerts, contact any of the three credit agencies:

Put your mouse over the images(names of credit unions) and do not click to display the phone numbers.
Click on the Image to direct you to the Web Site