Q: Never thought this would happen to me. Someone somehow got my Social Security number, obtained a credit card and charged items on it. I found out when the bill came. Now what?
A: If an identity thief steals your SSN, he or she may use it to apply for a credit card or loan, and also seek to receive medical, disability and other benefits.
There are a number of steps you can take, not the least of which is reporting the matter to law enforcement right away, and to the Federal Trade Commission (with regard to the FTC, see the information at the end of this column).