You may laugh at the credit card commercials about identity theft, but the crime is no laughing matter.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), nearly 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2005. In 2004, the FTC placed Washington state in the top 10 states for reported identity thefts.

With these kinds of statistics, the King County Sheriff’s Office and the cities of Woodinville and Kenmore Police Departments want you to learn more about how identity theft occurs, how to avoid becoming a victim and how to survive if your personal information is used to commit fraud or theft.

A free Identity Theft workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Woodinville City Hall, 17301-133rd Avenue NE, Woodinville.

“If you suspect your mail, credit card or social security number has been stolen, you should report it immediately to the police department,” notes Police Chief Kent Baxter. “Identity theft criminals can do a great deal of damage to your credit in just minutes.”

“In addition to mail theft, computer crime is a popular means to obtain personal information that is used to perpetrate identity theft,” notes Detective William Marik, King County Sheriff’s Office and workshop presenter.

The City encourages citizens and businesses to use a locking mailbox and document shredder as deterrents to mail and identity theft. Suppliers of locking mailbox and shredder products interested in providing merchandise information at the workshop should contact Jason Burt, Crime Prevention Coordinator, City of Woodinville, at (425) 877-2285 or JasonB@ci.woodinville.wa.us.

For mail and identity theft prevention information go to Washington State Attorney General Office Consumer Protection Division website at http://www..atg.wa.gov/consumer/idprivacy/index.shtml, Federal Trade Commission’s Web site at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ or the Identity Theft Resource Center’s website at http://www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml.