Protecting your identity can be difficult. The Indiana Attorney General wants to make it easier. Saturday Steve Carter announced a new Identity Theft Unit to help victims restore their credit and find the thief who took it.

Ten years ago J. Michelle Sybesma became a victim of identity theft. Since then she created the website GetIDSmart.com. She provides tips to protect your identity.

"Jamie Michelle became Jamie Michael, Jamie Michael became James Michael," said Sybesma.

A co-worker used information on her job application and then rummaged through her purse to find her checking account numbers. "I think when they were finished it was around $30,000," said Sybesma.

On Saturday she stood next to Attorney General Steve Carter as he announced a new identity theft unit.

"This is an issue that doesn't stop at the city boundaries, county lines or the state lines. So it's important for us to collaborate, bring our resources together and that's what we are doing," said Carter.

The Identity Theft Unit is a team of attorneys, investigators and support staff that will help victims of identity theft try to reverse the damage to their credit.

Its a resource Sybesma wishes would of been around for her. "It was a tremendous amount of time and effort and emotional energy involved in just repairing the damage that had been done," said Sybesma.

The attorney general says the unit will help victims, but he hopes information on IndianaConsumer.com will protect consumers from becoming victims in the first place.

The website has tips on protecting your Social Security number and a quiz to see if you are at risk for identity theft.

"Once the crime has occurred, its a long way back to peace of mind," said Carter.