Detective Shawn Jenkins said he used to find it tedious if a clerk asked for identification when he bought something with a credit card.

"Now, I get aggravated if they don't," the Casper police officer said.

While many may share Jenkins' growing concern about the risks of identity theft and other types of fraud, an increasing number of people are falling victim to such crimes.

Sgt. Brad Wnuk said Casper investigators are increasingly responding to reports of local residents finding their credit cards have been used by people in different states or countries. At the same time, he said, investigators from elsewhere have followed trails of fraudulent activity to Casper.

To avoid becoming a victim, Wnuk suggested, residents must be careful with credit card applications, receipts and other documents bearing personal information.

Pre-approved credit card applications provide a particularly simple route of tarnishing your credit rating, Wnuk said. Some would-be identity thieves remove the applications from mail boxes before residents ever see them.

"You'll never miss it, because you never wanted it in the first place," Wnuk said.

Destroying the applications, as well as insurance paperwork and other documents, is one way to prevent fraud, Wnuk said.

But looking at your credit report is also important to check for any fraud that might have been successful, Wnuk said. Credit reports can be obtained for free, he said, but residents should be careful to provide information only to reputable reporting services.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends using a free credit reporting service run by the national consumer reporting companies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It can be reached on the Web at www.annualcreditreport.com or by phone at (877) 322-8228.

Stolen credit cards are another way people can become the victims of fraud. Jenkins and Wnuk recommend that residents simply write "Check I.D." in the signature box of their cards for a bit of protection if a card ever goes missing.

Some tips for preventing ID theft:

n Don't leave identification, checkbooks, receipts or other items that could provide personal information in cars and other places where they might be taken.

n Destroy documents that could contain sensitive information, as well as unwanted credit card applications, before you throw them away.

n Check your credit report regularly. The Federal Trade Commission recommends using a central, nationwide credit reporting service that can be reached at www.annualcreditreport.com or toll-free at (877) 322-8228. Be cautious about providing information at any of a number of imposter Web sites.

n Don't provide personal information when you receive unsolicited e-mails purporting to be from banks, credit card companies and other institutions.

n Learn more at a Casper College panel discussion on identity theft and new laws affecting the way consumers pay for products and services. The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Wheeler Auditorium, which is located in the Wold Physical Science Center on the Casper College campus. The discussion is part of a Business Enrichment Series program at the college.

Reporter Anthony Lane can be reached at (307) 266-0593 or at anthony.lane@casperstartribune.net.