A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees
in his company:
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 PO Box use that instead
of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work
address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. 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 I
travel 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 thieve(s) 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 three 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.
Here are the numbers you will need to contact
if your wallet has been stolen:
1.) Social Security Administration
(fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
2.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
3.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
4.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
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 this weekend (someone turned it in.)
It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.