i'm really worried - identity theft?

[crisgal]

today my tax credits renewel forms came through the post.
As i went to open the envelope, i saw it had already been opened, completely slit, along the short edge.
As these forms have all our details on - birthdates (including the children's), national insurance numbers etc, we are very concerned as to what to do now.
Obviously, we can't change who we are, where we live or where we work.
Should i contact the tax office? Is the post office to blame?
My husband says it could be a machine that has done it and that no-one might have actually taken it out of the envelope.
If it is has been taken out intentionally, it can only be for fraudulent purposes can't it?
Help!

[Ethel]

I really think that anyone with criminal intent would either 'lose' the letter altogether so you didn't receive it, or simply put it in another envelope.

However, if you are really concerned you can get 'fraud alerts' put in place. This means that any time credit is applied for in your name, you are contacted first to verify you are actually applying for it. It makes getting credit more difficult.

http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/flag.html