Attorney General Jon Bruning knows firsthand the frustration of trying to protect yourself from identity theft. While his wife was helping their two children pick out books at a branch library, someone punched in the window of her car and stole her purse. The Brunings canceled the credit cards, but that was just the first step in protecting their credit.

Bruning has been monitoring his credit status. He put a fraud watch on his credit reports and is in the process of buying an e-mail alert that will report any changes in his credit reports or credit status. It's a time consuming hassle.

"But who knows what someone could do. And I'm not going to be passive here. I'm going to actively monitor our credit," Bruning said

The job of attorney general also has taught him the importance of vigilance.

Last year, his consumer protection division received 788 complaints from people worried about identity theft.

Identity theft isn't the biggest consumer concern. Banking and security issues bring in the most calls, said Leslie Levy, director of consumer protection.

But identity theft is a growing problem in Nebraska. In just two years, identity theft related calls to the attorney general's office have almost doubled.

Most people call because they believe they are a victim or may be at risk. said Levy.

"What they are looking for is information on what they can do to protect themselves," she said.

The attorney general doesn't prosecute identity theft. But the consumer affairs division provides information on whom to call if a theft has occurred, how the consumer can protect himself from further damage, and what is the next step, said Levy.

"Our effort here is to guide the consumer to the right spot and try to educate," said Bruning.

Often, prosecution must take place at a federal level, since perpetrators are rarely going to be in Nebraska, Levy said.

Bruning recently added an easy-to-take test on his Web site as another educational tool.

The consumer vulnerability survey is a "slick way of pointing out risky habits," Bruning said.

Too many Nebraskans still have their Social Security number on their checks, or keep their Social Security card in their wallet, he said. "That enables someone to steal your identity much more easily."

Yes, people should shred their mail, Bruning said. In fact suburban garbage cans are a wealth of information.

Pre-approved credit cards are a hazard, according to Levy.  "It would be nice if companies just didn't send them."

Unsecured mailboxes are also a source of potential problems, said Levy. And tax time is a thief's paradise, with "so many W2s coming in," she said.

The mailbox is also a concern to Sgt. Dennis Duckworth of the Lincoln police white-collar crimes unit. Mail your bills at the post office or in a secure post office box, he suggests.

A home mailbox, with the red flag up. That's a signal, said Duckworth.

"It says, ‘Hello Crooks. There is some information for you in here.' "

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.

How to get help

To contact Consumer Protection Division, call 471-2682, or check out the Attorney General Web site at www.ago.state.ne.us.

Tips to prevent identity theft

* Don't carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet.

* Don't give personal information to someone claiming to be from your bank.

* Don't leave your trash on the curb or outgoing mail in your mailbox overnight.

* Don't keep your PIN number in your wallet or written on or near your ATM card.

* Don't give out personal or financial information to a company or caller who contacts you about winning a lottery.

* Shred invoices and other items that contain personal information.

* Carefully review your bank statements and credit card bills every month.

Source: Attorney general's Web site, borrowed from the Arizona attorney general