Q: Three or four times during the last four months I have received unsolicited credit card applications. On one occasion, the application included three blank checks with my name on them. What is my liability if somebody gets hold of these checks and uses them?

-- LEO BALAGUER, Wilkins

A: If someone were to activate the credit card account and write checks for cash advances on it, federal law limits your liability to $50. Practically speaking, though, you wouldn't be on the hook for any money because most credit card issuers have zero liability policies for victims of fraud.

Your biggest headache would be trying to work out the mess created by a crook ringing up fraudulent bills in your name. Your credit could be ruined, and you might even have the police after you.

That's why identity theft experts tell us over and over to shred any preapproved credit card offers or other papers that contain sensitive personal information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers, before throwing them away. There are thieves referred to as Dumpster divers who sift through the trash hoping to steal your personal data.

So the next time you get one of those applications, chop it up good before tossing it out.

The other thing you can do is stop many of those preapproved offers from showing up at your home in the first place by getting your name on the credit reporting industry's "opt out" list. That will foil thieves waiting to snatch the offers from your mailbox even before you open them.

To get on the list, call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). That prohibits the four major credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, Transunion and Innovis) from selling your name to companies for preapproved credit or insurance offers. You have the choice of opting out for five years or permanently. If you change your mind later, you can call back and opt back in.

When you call, you'll be asked for your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. You also can complete the process online at www.optoutprescreen.com.

Getting on the list won't stop all preapproved credit offers, but it should reduce the tsunami to a trickle.

Star City movie tickets

As I told you last week, people stuck with discount movie tickets for the shuttered Star City Cinemas in South Fayette that were purchased through the Entertainment book can return the tickets for a refund, or exchange them for tickets to other theaters in the book.

That hasn't changed. But on Monday, the local Entertainment folks moved from the South Side to new digs in the Strip District. So if you're planning to mail in your tickets or visit the office, here's the new address: Entertainment, 3170 Sassafras Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. The new phone number is 412-281-2225.

The owner of Star City, Robert Malina of KLM Theater Partners, told me last week that he was working on a refund procedure for customers with gift certificates that he expected to have in place in a few days. This week, he said he was still working on it, and referred me to his vice president of marketing, Sandy Baker, for more information. She hasn't returned my calls. I'll keep trying to get an answer.