PINE TOWNSHIP

   » Someone stole Richard Thompson's identity.

Between June 21 and 29, someone used the Pine Township man's Social Security number to obtain three AT&T calling cards and charge 271 calls to them, racking up $1,500 in bills, state police said in a Wednesday story.

Thompson's wife, Becky, said whoever stole her husband's identity also tried to buy a new truck, a Gateway computer and a cellular telephone. Thankfully, she said, Gateway called the Thompsons, suspicious of the different shipping and billing addresses.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Thompson said, the AT&T calling cards were a different matter. Though the calling cards were never sent to the Thompsons, they did get the bill. Mrs. Thompson said they've received one bill so far, but were told by state police that there likely would be more. She said they are trying to clear the matter with AT&T.

Mrs. Thompson said whoever is pretending to be her husband has ruined their credit and is ruining their lives.

"He's making our lives miserable," she said.

She said her husband, who owns Grove City Motor Sports, probably had his Social Security number studied and memorized when he applied for a loan.

State police said Monday they have identified the thief and are close to nabbing him, but charges have yet to be filed.

Saying she was once a kind-hearted and trusting soul, Mrs. Thompson said the incident has made her suspicious of everything and everyone.

The Thompsons have begun taking extra precautions by buying a paper shredder for their mail and other documents and warning their children about giving information over the telephone to people they don't know, no matter how friendly they seem.

"I would suggest that people be aware," Mrs. Thompson said. "Don't leave papers laying around and watch your mail. It's also a very important thing that people don't know your Social Security number."

And Thompson isn't alone.

Leslie Gray of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection's regional office in Erie said her office is investigating several cases of identity theft. The office serves Mercer, Venango and Clarion counties.

"Anyone who believes they have been a victim of identity theft is encouraged to get in touch with our office and file a complaint," she said.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection offers these tips to help prevent identity theft:

   » Carry your Social Security card, passport, birth certificate and multiple credit cards only when needed.

   » Carefully monitor your monthly credit card statements and order a credit report once a year to check for inaccuracies and fraudulent use of your accounts.

   » When you order new checks, don't give unnecessary information such as your Social Security, telephone or driver's license numbers. Listing them on a check makes them an easy target.

   » Never give out a credit card or bank account number over the phone, unless the organization is reputable.

   » Never throw bank teller machine receipts in public trash containers.

   » Be careful using credit cards for Internet purchases and when providing personal information online. Internet fraud is rapidly growing.

   » Be conscious of telephone or mail solicitations disguised as promotions, offering instant prizes or awards. They may be scams, designed solely to obtain personal information.

   » If a new credit card doesn't arrive in a timely manner, call the bank or company issuing it.

   » Always shred preapproved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information before discarding them.

For more information, call (800) 441-2555 or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharon-herald.com