With identity theft and telemarketing at epidemic proportions, federal, state and private agencies have been working hard to inform the public of the risk, identify offenders, take action and provide relief. If you don’t know already, here’s what identity theft is:

Someone can steal your identity by co-opting your name, Social Security number, credit card number or some other piece of your personal information for his own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge in order to commit fraud or theft. Identity thieves work in various ways.

The thieves might open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.

They could call your credit card issuer, pretending to be you, and change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, the impostor runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there’s a problem.

An identity thief might also establish cellular phone service in your name, or open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on the new account.

In addition to state and federal action to stem the tide of identity theft, the nation’s three credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, have set up a system that will enable identity fraud victims to protect their credit information by making one toll-free call.

When an identity fraud victim calls any of the credit reporting companies, the company will alert the other two. Then each company will post a security alert on the victim’s credit file; opt the victim out of pre-approved credit or insurance offers; and mail the victim a copy of his credit file. If you feel you have been victimized by identity theft, call either Equifax, (800) 525-6285; Experian, (888) 397-3742; or TransUnion, (800) 680-7289.

If you are bugged by telemarketing calls, relief is on the way! Beginning in July, you will be able to register free on the Federal Trade Commission’s national “Do not call” registry, helping to limit the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls. In June, FTC will provide details on two registering options, a Web site address and toll-free telephone number. By September, telemarketers and other sellers will be required to compare their marketing lists with the do not call list, and continue to do so at least every 90 days.

Then in October, the FTC and the states will begin enforcing the provisions of the amended telemarketing sales rule, with violators subject to fines of up to $11,000 per violation. For more information, visit http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/03/donot call.htm.

Identity theft is a crime, unsolicited telemarketing is a nuisance. But these two items represent only the tip of a very large iceberg of schemes, scams and nuisances. Government regulation helps, but nothing works better than to be forewarned and informed.

Therefore, the Maine Center for the Public Interest has established a Maine Fraud Alert Registry, where Maine families and companies can place their names on a list of those wishing to be warned of emerging scams. Registrants will receive information and a form to complete. Once you are on the list, you will receive fraud alerts as soon as scams are identified. To be added to this list (which will not be shared), send your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number, and (if you have one) e-mail address to: Protect ME, P.O. Box 1183, Bangor 04402-1183. Enclose a large (No. 10) self-addressed envelope with return postage attached.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT-The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.