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RunsLikeAGirl
Member
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Joined: 01 Apr 2003
Posts: 1499
Location: Upstate.
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 Posted: 03/15/05 - 11:24 Post subject: Important information
Good advice I wanted to pass along:
> A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
> company:
>
> The next time you order checks, omit your first name and have only
> your initials and last name put on them. If someone takes your check
> book 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.
>
> 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. 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.
>
> 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 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:
>
> 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
>
> We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about
> everything. Pass this information along. It could really help someone
> you care about.
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