ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE
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 his
advice!
1. The next time you order checks, have only
your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone
gets your checkbook, he 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. When you are writing checks to pay on your
credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the
"MEMO" line. Instead, just put only the last four numbers. The
credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might handle
your check as it passes through all of the check processing channels won't
have access to it.
3. 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 always add it if it's necessary. But, if you have it printed, anyone can
get it.
4. Photocopy the contents of your wallet:
Copy 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, as an
attorney, I have first-hand 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 the 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:
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 that 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. Immediately call the 3 national credit
reporting agencies 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 will know 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 past 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 if
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
