The province's Consumer Protection Branch is alerting consumers to the fast-growing threat of identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone steals another individual's personal information in order to commit fraud. Without your knowledge, impersonators can apply for loans and credit cards, open accounts or even take out a mortgage on your home using your name.

• Store credit cards, identification cards and documents in a secure place and shred them when they expire.
• Never share passwords or PINs - anyone who asks for this information is not to be trusted.
• Read billing statements and report anything you don't recognize immediately.
• Ensure your mail cannot be removed from your mailbox by strangers.
• Immediately report any lost identification.
• Request a copy of your credit report once a year.

Consumer protection officials also stress the importance of securing your computer with up-to-date firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails and never give out personal information over the Internet.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, inform all involved financial institutions and ask credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your file immediately File a report with your local police department. If your government-issued documents have been lost, notify the appropriate offices to have the documents cancelled and new ones issued.

Ontario has a website and a toll-free hotline where consumers can get more information about iden-tity theft and how to prevent it. For more information go to www.mgs,gov.on.ca or call 1-866-351-5655.