With identity theft on the rise worldwide, it has never been more important than it is today to be aware of the simple things a person can do to avoid falling victim to the crime.

Detective Ben Mortensen with the Albert Lea Police Department, who deals with identity theft cases regularly, said since he’s started working for the department, he’s seen the number of these cases rise.

Now, he deals with at least one or two new cases a week, Mortensen said.

Because of this, he actively tries to educate people about the issue.

When he gives presentations around the community, he explains to people the most common ways identities are stolen and what people can do to prevent this from happening to them.

According to information he hands out during his presentations, some of the most common methods thieves use to steal personal identifying information include stealing mail such as credit card statements and bank statements, stealing purses and wallets from homes, businesses and vehicles, and digging through trash at dumps.

The following information from a publication issued by Home Federal Savings Bank is based on what to do if you are the victim of identity theft.

First, contact the bank (checks, ATM/debit card) or the credit card company.

Close the account. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you did not write. Put passwords on any new account you open.

Second, report the theft of your checking account number to the four major check verification companies.

Checkrite……. 800-63 8-4600

Certegy……….800-437-5120

TeleCheck…..800-710-9898 or 800-927-0188

SCAN…………800-262-7771

Third, report the theft of your credit card numbers to the three major credit report agencies.

Equifax………..800-525-6285

Experian………888-397-3742

Trans Union….800-680-7289

Fourth, report the crime to the police. File with your local office or the police where the theft took place. Get a copy of the police report to provide it to the bank as proof of the crime.

These thieves are also known to send e-mails claiming to be from a legitimate business or bank asking for personal information, to break into databases to access information, and to change addresses on accounts to divert mail to a location where they can retrieve it.

Though these individuals are coming in from all sides, there are many ways to outsmart them.

Some quick ways to prevent identity theft include using common sense when it comes to choosing passwords and PIN numbers, shredding any receipts that show account numbers and only giving out Social Security numbers when absolutely necessary.

People can also install a firewall on their computers to keep Internet hackers from accessing data and decide not to send confidential information over e-mail.

However, if people do become victim to Internet fraud, they should contact local law enforcement at 377-5205.

For additional information regarding reporting identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.