jewels- I assume you are actively dealing with the identity theft because it can cause many long-term problems. A while back a friend passed on some useful information concerning what to do in case of loss of a wallet or purse. I'm sure you have done all this, but I thought I'd post it to help others who are in the same situation: WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (the author of this piece) have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you WON'T need at that point!). File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important: call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. This will help prevent identity theft, which can be a much bigger headache than all of the other stuff combined. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this - almost 2 weeks after the theft all the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert). Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are: Equifax 1-800-525-6285 Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195 Trans Union 1-800-680-7289 Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271

I truly appreciate all your help mikie!It is so difficult for me to explain exactly what is going on.I only know computer basics and just enough terminology to be confusing. LOL Currently,I am connecting to the internet by going to Earthlink.net and clicking on the set up button. I am accessing my e-mail through Earthlink.net, too. That is the only way I can connect to webpages.I can no longer connect using on desktop icons or by going to internet connections. The problem started when I allowed a Belkin auto setup to program my wireless router to my computer. Even if I disconnect the router and try to connect the way I did before the router I still can not connect through my computer. The only reason I mentioned proxy server was that when earthlink had me join teamviewer4, teamviewer4 stated I was on a proxy server and that I needed to connect with my computer connection. I am basing my statement on that info. I may not be on a proxy server. Is connecting through Earthlink.net connecting to a proxy server? I have not called earthlink back yet as the tech seems to get frustrated with my problem before it can be corrected. Also, it is a minimum 1 hour call each time.

Just browsing around tonight and noticed there were computer forums here. I use AOL thought I would tell you it can be done as I have tried this and it works fine. Read the link I posted and it will tell you what program to download. It's for gmail but when you install it you will have the option to pick AOL from the list. and that's it. Then when you are online and click somewhere to email a site it will bring up a filled in AOL mail form from aol.com. I am guessing though you have to make sure you leave aol.com logged in all the time and do not sign out. I was helping someone once make yahoo.com the default mail in firefox by using the malto code or what ever it is and stumbled upon this so thought I would try it and file it away for reference in case someone needed to know that. Mary Here is a link that might be useful: Make aol the default email

Mike I am not sure setting up rules does much except offer peace of mind in the sort term. Spam is very invasive and the simplest way to control it is to safeguard your email address and delete all spam without opening any of it. Never show your email address where it can be seen by all and sundry, never open or reply to Spam, not even to be removed from the list because that simply tells them they have found a valid address to bug. If you are curious about a sender you can go in the back door as see what is written and who sent it. To see this right click on the email header in your inbox click Properties click Details click Message source. Now take this to full screen and look carefully, you will see the sender, the content message if there is one and rows and rows if seemingly gibberish. This gibberish is actually a picture usually. Be sure to do this is you get a returned email, it may not be returned but another spam ploy. I have provided a link below that might answer a few questions, it is Canadian but I suspect our issues are no different to yours. Here is a link that might be useful: Stopping Spam tips