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! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'
2. 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.
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. &nb sp;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.
4. 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 first hand 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 nu mber 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:
5. 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.
6. 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.)
7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an applicatio n 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, 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 Good Ideas.
One big flaw...If the user of the stolden ID looks like you & they have your credit card & ID, then writing "PHOTO ID REQUIRED" won't do any good. There is a BIG NETWORK/Theft RING that does nothing but matching the stolen ID's to the person in need of that ID (usually an illegal or Felon), for purposes of fraud for employment, government benefits, & to show authorities. Some are even arrested & serve jail time with your name & SS#! The only way to ID yourself as the person who did NOT commit the crime is with your FINGERPRINTS!
Everyone who has lost or "misplaced" their ID, or suspects foul play, should ask the Social Security Office for a PRINTOUT to see if anyone is using your SS# for purposes of employment. Some employers don't know the hired help is using a stolden ID & #!
http://www.ssa.gov
In the middle column, scroll down to the last heading title (bold black letters),
"Get Help with your Situation", then click onto
"More Situations", then go to bottom of page & click onto 2nd to the last heading title,
"Are you a victim of Identity Theft" for more info. Yes...living in the con capital of the west coast has "taught" me so much about so little! I had to learn this the hard way. I don't have any bank accounts or credit cards after my identity was taken. Some people don't care who they hurt. Thanks. Report It
Excellent information. Everyone should print this twice, keep where they can be readily found and often seen.
To the one who said, just use cash, I like that but sometimes it is way too much cash to carry with you. Also join
ScamBusters Editors <reply@scambusters.org>, this is very informative{ Thanks } |
