It was said 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 P.O. Box, use that instead of your home
address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.
Never have your social security number 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.
Also carry a photocopy of your 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, etc.
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, and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving
record information online, to name a few.
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:
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.
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.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact if your wallet
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 Fraud Line: 1-800-269-0271