files in case you need to refer to it
someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
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. (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 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 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 This weekend (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
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we
pass along just about
everything. But if you are willing to pass
this information along, it
could really help someone that you care
about.
Ingrid B
On The B Side Inc.
P: 305.519.1369
E: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
W: http://www.onthebside.com/
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JULY SCOOP
The Millions More Movement
"Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It is beyond me." Zora Neale Hurston
