Prevent Identity Theft
          An attorneys 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.

The ext time you order checks have only your first initial (instead of full 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 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 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 traveling 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, or credit cards.                                                     
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen recently. 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 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 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 Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by my 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 advise to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There were 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.

                If You are a victim
 * Close any affected accounts
  * Change the passwords on all of your online accounts
  * Place a fraud alert with the three companies listed below
 

Here are the numbers you need to place a fraud alert

Equifax : #1-800-525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW): #1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

   * Contact the FTC and file a complaint 877-438-4338
       File a report with your local police department and
       get copies to carry with you. Send a copy to your
       bank and other creditors.

   * Record and save all communications. Get names, dates,
      time and summary of what was discussed.

             Additional Resources
  Fraud.org, the National Fraud Information Center
  US. Department of Justice ID Theft Kit
      http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
 
  Federal Trade Commission document. Take Charge
  Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
      http:// www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm
  Includes sample dispute lettters and other recovery procedures

  privacyrights.com provides a detailed 17 step is your ID
  is stolen.

  Identity Theft Resource Center
      http:// www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml

     Guides, FAQs Etc.