Identity Theft Pointers
Received in an email from a friend
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- GOOD ADVICE--PLEASE READ....
Some of this is really good to know. Let others know. You don't
get Free Advice from a Lawyer very often, so READ THIS!!!
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer
to it someday.
- The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead
of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes yourcheck
book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your
initials or yourfirst name but your bank will know how you sign
your checks.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, etc.
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because
my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the 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:
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
easily.
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was
stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is
a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought
to do this).
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 in their tracks.
The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271
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