Investors are irked because they thought that these plans represented a guarantee backed up by sponsoring state and are shocked to learn that this is not case.

Of course, a recovery of financial markets will greatly help ease burden, but many investment advisers do not expect that to happen in near future.

3. Close any accounts that you don't use. Keep number of credit card accounts and lines of credit you use to a minimum.

4. Once a year request a copy of your credit report and check it for accuracy. You can get your credit report from Equifax for $9.00 www.equifax.com

5. Carefully examine your monthly financial statements for unusual activity and examine your credit card bills for charges you can't identify.

If You Become a Victim

1. Immediately contact creditors where fraudulent charges were made and request that a fraud alert be placed on your file.

2. Under Truth in Lending Act, you can be held liable for a maximum of $50.00 in unauthorized charges per credit card.

3. Download an identity theft affidavit from Federal Trade Commission Web site. http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/affidavit.htm

4. File a report with your local police department.

5. Keep a complete record of identity theft and your efforts to clear your records. Send all letters related to theft by certified mail. Keep a record of all telephone calls you made and received, with dates and names of individuals you spoke to.

Identity theft is one of fastest growing crimes in U.S. It can happen to you. Protect yourself by guarding your private information and carefully examining your financial statements. If you become a victim, take steps outlined above, and keep a complete record of your efforts to repair damage caused by this crime. ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------