Victims of identity theft know finding out their personal information has been compromised is the first step in what can be a lengthy process to reclaim their financial identities.

Earlier this month, police received a handful of complaints from customers who said their ATM card numbers had been used without their authorization.

One thing most of the individuals had in common was that each of them used their debit cards at a local drive-through restaurant.

Cpt. Kevin Phillips of the Gainesville Police Department said on Nov. 3 investigators with at least two police agencies were working the case, but were not ready to single out the restaurant as the source of the stolen card numbers.

“I believe the sheriff’s office has received some (identity theft) reports, and we’ve received reports, but as far as saying where the card numbers were obtained, we cannot do that at this time,” he said.

Gainesville Police Department incident reports show that four individuals reported identity theft-related crimes on Nov. 20.

A woman whose card was recently used by an individual, apparently in another state, said she heard about the rash of local identity thefts and read the e-mail about the Cooke County woman whose card number was stolen. She also checked her card activity because, like the other woman, she had used her debit card at the same restaurant.

Sure enough, fraudent charges appeared.

In all, the woman said thieves racked up $700 in unauthorized purchases.

They also apparently did not use the number for about two weeks.

“They held the card for a while before they made any charges,” she said.

When the first charge appeared, she said she called her bank and began the process of reclaiming her identity.

“They sent me an identity theft packet,” she said, “And every time my credit is checked it will be flagged, so getting loans may be a hassle,” she said.

T. J. Eddleman of the American Bank of Texas said there is no way to completely prevent identity theft.

“There’s just no way, unfortunately, no fool-proof way to prevent this. But the first rule is don’t write don’t your PIN number down and don’t share it with anyone,” he said.

Eddelman said he doesn’t advise consumers to stop using their debit cards.

“I would be cautious, but don’t be afraid to use a debit card. I’m not afraid to use my card,” he said.

One of the victims of the recent card number thefts also advises cardholders not to let the card out of their sight.

“If you go through a drive-in or use your card at a restaurant, don’t let the employee take your card. Don’t let the card out of your sight. This has made me a lot more cautious,” she said.

The Federal Trade Commission advises identity theft victims to take certain steps:

• Place an alert on all credit reports and check the reports frequently.

The three major agencies are:

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

• Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Call creditors and ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up these conversations with written communication including copies of supporting documents. Letters should be sent via certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep all correspondence on file.

• File a complainant with the Federal Trade Commission.

To file an FTC complaint using the online form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.

• File a report with local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Call your local police department and tell them that you want to file a report about your identity theft. Ask them if you can file the report in person. If you cannot, ask if you can file a report over the Internet or telephone. When you go to your local police department to file your report, bring a printed copy of your FTC ID Theft Complaint form, your cover letter, and your supporting documentation. The cover letter explains why a police report and an ID Theft Complaint are so important to victims.