Identity theft can wreak havoc on personal finances, but there are ways to take control of the situation.

If an identity thief steals mail to get new credit cards or information about bank accounts, or if he or she falsifies change-of-address forms sent through the mail, this is considered a crime and should be reported to the local postal inspector.

If a bank account has been tampered with, it should be closed immediately. When opening a new account, request that a password be used before any changes can be made on the account. Try to avoid using typical password information like mother's maiden name, a birth date, or the same series of consecutive numbers.

Similar action should be taken for an ATM card. If it has been stolen, cancel it as soon as possible and get another card with a new PIN number.

Identify theft can also involve phone service, driver's license and personal investments. Recently in Chicago, the public was warned to be on the lookout for a Social Security identity theft scam where potential victims were contacted for private information such as Social Security and bank account numbers.

Sometimes, an identity thief may create a criminal record under a different name, when being arrested, for example. The procedures for clearing a name vary by jurisdiction. If this happens, an attorney may be hired to help resolve the problem.

Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.