When you go out to a restaurant and hand over your credit card to the waiter or waitress, are you sure they are only swiping it for the bill? How about when you throw away documents in the trash? Are you sure that's really where they are going?

"What you put in the garbage, is a treasure to some people," said Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (4th C.D.) at an identity theft seminar held Feb. 6 at the Westbury Memorial Public Library. The seminar, presented by McCarthy, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the National Crime Prevention Council, was held to raise awareness of identity theft and discuss the ways to reduce becoming a victim.

Identity theft takes many forms such as stolen Social Security numbers, maiden names, addresses, phone numbers, bank and checking account numbers, credit card numbers and anything else that identifies you to the rest of the world. According to Ronald Waldman, an attorney for the FTC, identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in America and "there is no inoculation against identity theft. Anyone could be a victim."

Because of the rise in information and technology, identity theft, or the misuse of some form of personal information, is becoming an increasing problem. According the FTC, in 2000 they received 31,000 complaints of identity theft; in 2001 they received 86,000; in 2002 they received 161,000; in 2003 they received 214,000; and over the past two years, they received more than a quarter of a million complaints.

The results of the FTC's September 2003 Identity Theft Survey Report showed that there were 9.9 million victims of identity theft in the United States. For the five-year period ending in 2003, there were over 27 million victims and the average injury per victim was nearly $5,000.

There are numerous ways that identity thieves can obtain personal information. They could steal your garbage bags that may contain bills or documents with your personal information on it. Many may even take mail from your mailbox, or call you requesting that you update records. Identity thieves could look over your shoulder or take photos with camera phones at the automated teller machine (ATM). And they could steal your information through phishing, a legitimate looking e-mail or pop-up scam that lures the user to surrender personal information.

Once identity thieves have your information they could open new credit card accounts in your name or even take over an existing account. "You may not even know about it because they may submit a change of address at the same time so you don't even get the bills," said Waldman. "Or identity thieves will make the minimum monthly payments on your bill so perhaps you won't notice that you have been a victim."

Fraudulent bank loans have become popular to identity thieves along with real estate fraud. "People have had their homes sold because people forged real estate documents," said Waldman, adding that utility fraud and criminal record fraud occurs when someone commits a crime in your name.

According to Waldman, one out of every eight identity theft victims is victimized by someone they know. Children are becoming increasingly at risk for identity theft and their own parents are victimizing them because they can't get credit in their own name. "They take out credit in their children's name and they [the children] don't find out until they try to get credit for the first time," he said.

A growing concern for many of the audience members at the seminar was Social Security numbers. Numerous documents such as medical forms, credit card applications and store discount applications, ask that you provide your social security number and many who do not wish to disclose their own number create random numbers in place of it. But, said Waldman, who's to say that number isn't a legitimate one?

"A lot of people are going to ask you for personal information," Waldman said. "People need to get into the mindset of asking 'Why do you need this information?' If you think it is inappropriate, bring it up. Fight it."

Institutions such as colleges and universities now provide students with college ID numbers in place of using the Social Security number. However, some institutions have yet to make the transition. "We are trying to educate the universities," said McCarthy. "Many students think that if they ask for it, it's OK. But it's not."

Another audience member raised a question about providing birth certificates to athletic leagues. His daughter was required to produce her birth certificate as proof of age in order to play on a Police Athletic League (PAL). The league kept a copy on file. McCarthy stated they do not need a copy of the certificate and suggested that, if the association persists, then challenge their reason.

But for one West Hempstead resident who attended the meeting and has been a victim of identity theft, there is concern about theft even just of one's name. "If someone gets my information, my life is ruined for a long time. I constantly keep an eye out for this stuff. I shred everything that has my name. I get my credit reports regularly. I religiously look at all my bills in detail. I balance my checkbook constantly. I take a lot of precautions," she said.

According to James Wright, director of Senior Crime Prevention at the National Crime Prevention Council, there are many ways to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. "Limit what you carry in your wallet," Wright said. "Keep copies at the house so should you lose it, you can quickly stop it."

Wright also suggested checking your accounts on a regular basis and taking advantage of the free credit reports from the three major credit report agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Other ways to minimize risks: Use direct deposit to avoid paper mail, shred documents, give out personal information sparingly, password all your accounts differently and consider getting a PO Box to eliminate mailbox fraud.

If you should become a victim of identity theft, file a police report immediately and keep a copy on hand at all times. File a complaint with the FTC and contact your credit report agency so they can flag the report with a fraud alert. "This will prevent opening up new credit in your name," Waldman said.

Make sure to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if anyone took out a driver's license in your name. "This is something that September 11 terrorists did," said Waldman. "They got licenses. Once you get a driver's license, that is the ticket to everything."

A lot of companies offer identity theft insurance, but Waldman said be weary of those offers. "Generally what you are not being offered is any protection against out of pocket costs. If there is $1,000 missing from your checking account, these policies don't cover that. What they often do cover is related costs of fighting an identity theft problem.

Additional information about identity theft and steps to take to reduce becoming a victim can be found by visiting the FTC website at www.FTC.gov; the National Crime Prevention Council website at www.weprevent.org; or the United States Postal Services website at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

The Federal Trade Commission and the National Crime Prevention Council offer the following tips in preventing against identity theft:

* Check accounts regularly

* Order a copy of your credit report. Under the Fair Credit Act, you may receive one free report annually. Visit www.freecreditreport.com

* Use direct deposit and/or consider a PO Box to eliminate mailbox fraud

* Shred, shred, shred. Treat your mail and trash carefully

* Don't give out personal information on the phone, through mail or on the Internet unless you are sure who you are dealing with

* Don't carry your Social Security card

* Give out your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary

* Be cautious when responding to promotions

* Keep your purse/wallet in a safe place at work

* When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank; don't have them mailed to your home

* When using a computer, update virus protection regularly

* Don't open unknown files

* Use a firewall program and a secure browser

* Don't store financial information on your computer unless absolutely necessary

* Delete all personal information stored on your computer before getting rid of it.

The Federal Trade Commission and the National Crime Prevention Council offer the following tips to victims of identity theft:

* Contact and place a fraud alert on your credit report from the three consumer reporting companies: Equifax (www.equifax.com), Experian (www.experian.com) and TransUnion (www.transunion.com)

* Close any accounts you believe have been tampered with

* Change all passwords. Avoid using easily available information such as maiden names, phone numbers, address, birth dates and last four digits of your social security number

* File a police report and keep it handy

* File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov.