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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 his 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 "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 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 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 that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen. 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:
A. 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.
B. 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.)
C. 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 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.) Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374 1-800-685-1111
2.) Experian (formerly TRW):
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
1-800-888-4213
D. Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271.
*This and much more can be found on the State of Michigan's web page:
http://www.michigan.gov/cybersecurity/0,1607,7-217--114879--,00.html
_________________________________________________________
For more information on how to prevent and fight ID theft visit: http://www.ssa.gov/oig/hotline/index.htm
Excertps from the web site:
The use of your Social Security number by someone else to obtain credit, loans, telephone accounts, or other goods and
services should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC collects complaints about identity theft from those
whose identities have been stolen. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the FTC can help
victims of identity theft by providing information to assist them in resolving the financial and other problems that can result
from this crime. The FTC puts your information into a secure consumer fraud database and may, in appropriate instances, share
it with other law enforcement agencies and private entities, including any companies about which you may complain. You can
reach the FTC directly by:
* Calling toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
* The FTC can also be reached at its website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
If you suspect you have been the victim of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission web page: http: //www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit
report. A fraud alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before open any new accounts...
2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit
(for the link check the web site above) when disputing new unauthorized accounts...
3. File your complaint with the FTC. You may print a copy of your complaint to provide important standardized information
for your police report...
4. File a report with your local police or police in the community where the identity theft took place. Give the police
a copy of your FTC ID Theft complaint form. Get a copy of the police report (or, at least, the police report number) ...
(for more information go to the FTC web site given above)
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A final note: the US Post Office vigorously investigates ID theft for the simple reason that, more likely than not, it
involves fraud perpetrated by mail.
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