Most people don’t realize that they have become a victim of identity theft until damage has already been done. They may get a bill in the mail for something that isn’t theirs. Thinking it is a simple mistake they call the credit card company. That is when they are told that several more purchases have been made. Most credit card companies will work fast to close the account and to help you with the process for disputing the charges. However the amount of damage that has been done could be to other accounts as well.

You may not think it will happen to you, but thousands of people discover everyday that it has happened to them. The concept of identity theft is out of control due to the amount of information scammers can obtain online. For the most part it is very safe to buy items online as well as to pay your bills that way. You have to take the time to make sure that site is secure though or criminals can access your information.

If you find that you have become a victim of identity theft you need to report it immediately to the local authorities. There are many government agencies that can assist you with filing claims, including the FBI. There are advocate programs you will find online that are dedicated to helping victims of identity theft putting their life back together.

As soon as you know you are the victim of identity theft [http://www.identitytheftoptions.com/identity-theft-lawyers.html] and you have contacted the authorities you need to close all of your accounts. Even if they haven’t been compromised you don’t know what information the criminals have access to in regards to you. It is also a good idea to contact all three of the major credit reporting companies about your accounts. Look through them to identify any new accounts that may have been opened in your name so they can be closed as well.

Even with all the help that is available, it can be a long road to putting the crime behind you. It can take years to get the entire situation cleaned up in regards to your accounts and your credit history. It is a very stressful time that can result in a person having to file for bankruptcy, losing their home, losing their job, and even getting divorced because of it.

The best course of action is to work hard to protect your information now so that it can’t be compromised. Only use secure sites online so that your personal information is protected. You can easily tell because the URL address in the browser needs to have an “s” after the http. If it is only http then the site is not secure. It is also a good idea to have a firewall and a quality anti-virus program on your computer.