We have all seen the reports of people hacking into computers to get our personal information, and trying to get the information from us on the phone, e-mail and regular mail.

Identify theft is the fastest growing consumer crime. After being denied a loan or credit card, you pull your credit report and learn that someone has applied for dozens of credit cards in your name. What can you do? Unfortunately the Federal Trade Commission estimates that scenarios such as this are a reality for as many as nine million American annually.

If it happens to you take these steps:

Call the police and file a report. This provides documentation to prove to your creditors that you're a victim of identity theft.

Contact the three major credit reporting agencies, and place a fraud alert on your credit report. This prevents the thief from opening additional accounts.

Immediately report any fraudulent activity, such as charges not made by you.

Report the theft to the FTC and get an identity theft affidavit. They will provide you with a document you can use to alert organizations that the theft has occurred.

Monitor you credit reports regularly. It can take months or even years to straighten out identity theft.

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. By doing so, you will know what you had in your wallet and all the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.

Never have your social security number printed on your drivers license or your checks.