Access device fraud increasing, but prevention available

Financial industry sources estimate that losses associated with credit card fraud are in the billions of dollars annually.

The Secret Service offers some tips for victims of credit card fraud or identity theft:

Report the crime to the police immediately. Get a copy of your police report or case number. Credit card companies, banks and the insurance company may ask you to reference the report to verify the crime.

Immediately contact your credit card issuers. Get replacement cards with new account numbers and ask that the old account be processed as "account closed at consumer's request" for credit record purposes. You should also follow up this telephone conversation with a letter to the credit card company that summarizes your request in writing.

Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting bureaus. Report the theft of your credit cards and/or numbers. Ask that your accounts be flagged. Also, add a victim's statement to your report that requests that they contact you to verify future credit applications. The following are Web sites of the three credit bureaus: www.equifax.com, www.experian.com and www.transunion. com.

Keep a log of all conversations with authorities and financial entities.

As with any personal information, only provide your credit card number to merchants you know. Also, remember to protect your Social Security number. You have to give your Social Security number for employment and tax purposes, but it is not necessary for many businesses. Notify the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General if your Social Security number has been used fraudulently.

The Federal Trade Commission is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the commission assists victims of identity theft by providing them with information to help them resolve the financial and other problems that can result from identity theft. The FTC also may refer victim complaints to other appropriate government agencies and private organizations for further action. If you have been a victim of identity theft, you can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the FTC's Consumer Response Center on the Web at www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.htm.