I woke up this morning and didn't feel like myself. Then I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the person staring back. OMG! My identity had been stolen!

Of course, a person doesn't know that his identity has been stolen just by looking in the mirror. Usually he finds out when he is turned down for a loan because of unpaid bills he knew nothing about, or when bills for service he did not order appear along with charges for unknown purchases on his credit card. Unfortunately, this has become a common problem. More than 9.3 million people were affected in 2006. What are you going to do?

Insureds should know, first, to report the theft to the police. Just like an auto accident, their insurance company is going to need the police report. Next, contact the credit card company and all three of the credit reporting agencies. This is what tells all of those not-so-disinterested third parties that all is not as it at first appeared. Finally, insureds should contact their insurance company.