Tear or shred charge receipts, bank statements and credit card offers. And be careful when giving your credit card number out over the phone. And check your credit reports at least once a year for errors. Pittsburgh's identity theft initiative soon will include a public Web site where you can find lots of useful information. You'll need it if you're targeted.
Most victims discover that someone has stolen their identity a year after it happens.
It can take months or years to resolve the problem. Copyright 2000 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Information about privacy policy , terms of use and our ad policy .