Attorney's Advice -- No Charge

[wannabbig]

This is REALLY some good info / advice.


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 uses 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 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. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

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 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. 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 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: 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

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

[GerryT]

Wanna, a million thanks. Already printed this page. What a terrific reference and makes perfect legal sense.

Think I posted this before, but a PO pal told me never to take out a credit card to make a purchase if there is anyone around with a cell phone out. With camera cells, the prospective thief can get a photo of your card. All that is needed is a name and card number to perpetrate identity theft.

[bigcity]

Thanx great info

[TheLil'Missus]

Great post, wbb. Regarding the not signing the back of credit cards. There was an article in the paper this past week about whether or not to do that or to just put PHOTO ID REQUIRED. The question was put to an attorney, Richard Alderman, who said that does work however there are some stores that refuse unsigned cards in which case you can sign and write PHOTO ID REQUIRED on the back. My first thought was who's card has that much space?

[TheLil'Missus]

Thought I'd add another comment. When I was on the phone with Discover Card today I asked about the only writing the last 4 digits of your account thing and they said that no that would not be enough, the whole number would have to be written out. Maybe other cards allow it, but the folks at Discover said no.

[ctgblue]

Originally Posted by TheLil'Missus

Thought I'd add another comment. When I was on the phone with Discover Card today I asked about the only writing the last 4 digits of your account thing and they said that no that would not be enough, the whole number would have to be written out. Maybe other cards allow it, but the folks at Discover said no.

But, they will accept it.
Remember, they have the return half of the bill with the whole number on it.
I usually write 8 numbers like so.
****-1234-****-5678

[GetnBigr]

great info!!!