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Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer
to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of 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 "Fr" 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. 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 tat's committed
on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, Credit
cards.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case
your wallet is stolen.
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:
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.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet,
etc., if it 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.
to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of 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 "Fr" 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. 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 tat's committed
on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, Credit
cards.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case
your wallet is stolen.
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:
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.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet,
etc., if it 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.
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