PORTLAND – Maine is among the states with the lowest rates of identity theft, but authorities say residents should avoid complacency and take steps to protect their credit card and Social Security numbers and other personal information.

“You’re starting to see this spread into Maine,” Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood said Tuesday. “All of a sudden we’re starting to get phone calls. Even though the numbers are low, it’s a crime we never had to deal with.”

In announcing his department’s crime prevention program, “Protecting Your Good Name,” Chitwood advised Mainers to make sure to shred bank records and other financial information to make sure it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

He also suggested that computer users upgrade their virus protection and be aware of new scams that unfold all the time.

Maine authorities received 424 complaints of identity theft in 2004, 42 of them in Portland. There were 246,000 reports nationally.

Not included in the totals are victims who did not make police reports when their credit card numbers were misused because their credit card companies covered the losses and issued new cards.

The Police Department issued a brochure and is putting information on its Web site to tell the public how identity theft occurs and ways residents can protect themselves.

Thieves typically steal vital information by rummaging through trash, stealing information from businesses or ATMs, stealing a purse or wallet, stealing or diverting mail or posing as a legitimate company claiming to have a problem with an account.

The information can be used to open credit card or bank accounts, set up telephone service, change a credit card billing address or obtain loans, all in the victim’s name.