This advice came from a buddy of mine.
Please take a moment to read it.
It could really come in handy or help you should you need it.
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Often Times I have sent things out only to find its a scam or just plain not true. I have began checking out most of this by looking at Snopes.Com
This one doesn't come up as a scam and it reads like sound advice.
So without further ADO
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. 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. 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 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: <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />
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 cardit 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. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />
