Identity Theft 

In this era of identity theft, this information seems to make real good common sense. Read the following and print a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday.  Maybe we should all take some of this advice.

	The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name printed on them.  If someone takes your check book, 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.
	When you are writing checks to pay your credit card accounts, don’t put the complete account number on the “For” line.  Instead write only 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.
	Put your work phone numbers on your checks instead of your home phone.  If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address.  If you don not have a P.O. Box use your work address.  Never have your social security number printed on your checks. You can add it if it’s necessary.  But, if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
	Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both side 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 after stealing a name, address, Social Security number, or 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 number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

Here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know.

We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately.  But the key is having the toll free numbers and you card numbers handy so you know whom you should call.  Keep those where you can find them.

File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where you credit cards, etc. were stolen.  This proves to credit providers that you were diligent, and this is the first step toward an investigation (if there is ever one).

But here’s what is perhaps the most important of all (I have never even thought to do this).  Call the three 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 mad via the internet in my name.  The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they must 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 has 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: 

	Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
	Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
	Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
	Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

The above was found on the internet.  The information was allegedly compiled by an attorney communicating what he thought was good advice to his company employees. 

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