Q: Unfortunately, I fell for the ebay Phisher scam.

I gave my personal information, but I can’t remember what all I gave. I just cancelled my credit card, so I feel alright about that. What should I do about my social security number? Do you know what information was asked of me? I can’t remember. I’m really scared.

A: Because there are several groups deploying variations of the ebay scam, there is no way for me to know what you were asked.

If your computer was not protected by a complete firewall like ZoneAlarm with anti-virus, the chances are excellent that the hackers downloaded code to your computer that rummaged through all your files, including email, spreadsheet and document files, to get user names and passwords for other accounts, along with your friends’ and colleagues’ email addresses. Armed with that information, along with your Social Security number, the hackers have nearly everything that’s you but your skin.

The solutions for this disaster are fairly draconian. You may need to cancel all accounts, both web and otherwise. At the very least, you’ll want to contact everybody and change your user names and passwords. Consider changing ISPs. Credit card companies should be asked to accept only cards presented in person. Reformat your hard disk and install solid firewall software with anti-virus (which you can get at www.zonelabs.com). Let your friends and colleagues know that they may be targeted.

Get this theft officially documented ASAP. Contact local authorities immediately. Also, go to www.trimmail.com/tools, and access the FTC and FBI complaint forms, along with the Social Security fraud reporting form.

Next, alert all the national credit tracking agencies. Then monitor every single credit card bill, bank and retirement account for strange or unauthorized transactions for the rest of your life.