GOOD ADVICE !!!
This was written
by a practicing attorney who has
"been there done that."
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first
name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not
know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but
your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID
REQUIRED".
3 When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put
the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four
numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who
might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing
channels won't have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have
a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O.
Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!)
You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get
it.
5. Place
the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each
license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of
the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in
a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when traveling either here
or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in
stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was
stolen last month. Within a week, the thief or thieves 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:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key
is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to
call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards,
etc, were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is
a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even
thought to do this.)
3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a
fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. 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 two 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. (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their
tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc, has
been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union:
1 -800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
I hope this has been helpful.
BUFORD Families in America Book 2005
And my ALL-TIME favorite ~ TRIVIA
