Steps you
can take to prevent IDENTITY THEFT
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
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 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 you were diligent, and this is a first
step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
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.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
2.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
3.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
4.)
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