The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Atlanta has joined the Federal Trade Commission and other agencies to launch the first National Consumer Protection Week this week.

According to the FTC, consumers contact them with more questions and concerns about credit and credit fraud than any other topic.

"It doesn't take long for a criminal to destroy a solid credit record that has taken an honest consumer years to build," said Suzanne Boas, CCCS president. "Sometimes credit fraud is difficult to detect because transactions can be complicated and essential information may be hidden or disclosed."

Credit fraud appears in many forms including abusive lending practices, stolen credit cards, hijacked credit identities, advance-fee loan scams and "guaranteed" credit repair cons.

The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 allows victims of identity fraud the right to file police reports and to recoup damages. It also appoints the Federal Trade Commission to serve as an advocate for victims, assisting them with finding the right law enforcement agency to prosecute their case.

Other ways to protect yourself from this devastating crime:

• Shred or burn any papers with financial information and identifiers, such as account numbers or your Social Security number. Tearing documents in half and throwing them in the trash is not enough protection.
• Don't put your Social Security number on any document unless it is legally required.
• Check your credit report regularly, ideally, twice each year, to make sure you recognize all the entries.