Completely off-topic; just some helpful financial security advice for my friends

[zardoz]

An attorney friend e-mailed this to employees at his firm after his wallet was stolen. It makes sense and the advice is free.


1. 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 writing checks to pay 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.

4. Put your work phone number 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 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.

Within a week of his wallet being stolen the thief (thieves) 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 on-line, 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:
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. It seems to have stopped them dead.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experience (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

[Anonymous]

zardoz [:)]

Some good info there. I will try to follow some of it.

Thanks

[spbed]

Thank U for that quite useful information. I printed it for my wife so she will not what to do when she reorders checks. That is good stuff with the CCs also. #3 I already do. #4 we never put on phone # on our checks. #5 I have also done. OK on everything after #5. We also keep our SSNs so nobody can steal our ID [:o)][8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz

An attorney friend e-mailed this to employees at his firm after his wallet was stolen. It makes sense and the advice is free.


1. 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 writing checks to pay 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.

4. Put your work phone number 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 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.

Within a week of his wallet being stolen the thief (thieves) 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 on-line, 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:
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. It seems to have stopped them dead.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experience (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

[edblysard]

Something Big Z left out...
My wife s purse was stolen a few years ago...did excatlly what he suggested,
cops, cards, bank or credit union to stop all checks...SS admin, and the three major credit reporting agencies.

Then went to the TDS for a new drivers license with a new number.

I had my wallet lifted years and years ago, and when I replaced my TDL, the DPS just re-issued it to me, new photo, same number.

Do not let you DMV do that to you...the thieves will get a few checks cashed, cards used, so forth, and your DL# will be on them, and when the merchants report you (the bads guys) as a bad check writer, ( because you had stop payments in place)guess what happens?

You still have the old number on your new license,,,and no one will accept checks from you because the companies like Tele-Check use the DL numbers...and their records will show you as having written hot checks.

Get your DMV to issue you a completly new number, and do not take no as a answer..

Took over five years of aruging with Tele-check, and one court order, to get them to remove the denied status on my name and DL number...

Ed

[Anonymous]

Ed--

How did you get them to do that?? My son had his wallet stolen when he was a college frosh after he laid it down to play basketball (figures, doesn't it?). DPS refused to give him a new DL number. Said they only do that if you can prove your identity was stolen.

I agree with you. Change your DL no. if at all possible.

[colin_mcleod]

spbed, why quote the entire original posting?? I had already read it.

[unclejoe009]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz



2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

At most places of busniess this is no longer acceptable. One place I know of off the top of my head is any AMTRAK station. The first time I went to pay for my tickets with my card I had to sign it or they would not accept it, this is posted at the ticket counter. I know they are not the only ones to do this, but as I said its the only place I know of off the top of my head

[edblysard]

Took a copy of the HPD report with me....argued with the clerk behind the counter...ended up talking to a captain...argued some more....called my boss at the time, who called her boss, (the state AG, then Dan Morales)...took a entire day, but in the end, I got a new number.

Ed

[railman]

Off topic, but good advice railfans and anyone in general should take notice of.

[miniwyo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by unclejoe009

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz



2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

At most places of busniess this is no longer acceptable. One place I know of off the top of my head is any AMTRAK station. The first time I went to pay for my tickets with my card I had to sign it or they would not accept it, this is posted at the ticket counter. I know they are not the only ones to do this, but as I said its the only place I know of off the top of my head

Mine says; mysignature / see photo ID That way they cant say that its not signed, and they also need ot see ID not like anyone at any stores here check what the back says anyway.

[Anonymous]

You can also have passwords added at many financial institutions as well as utilities(phone company etc.). This will stop someone from making changes(address, etc.) or ordering checks unless they know the password.

[Anonymous]

Great advice,
I pay close attention to my Identity, and wish other people would too! I believe it is time for Congress to start to take Identity theft serious enough to make it a serious crime, I'm talking on par with rape, and murder, reason being is these people are malicious enough to make your life hell, and ruin everything you have worked for. They do not deserve to be a part of "our society" so put them far enough away, that I nor my family will ever have to worry about them, or kill them, I don' t care!

Brian

[Anonymous]

The best advise is to be born rich. And your employee's will take care of all the nastie security details. As well as support federal and state legislation on such matters as concern rich folks

And this is here on this site because why?

Oh, you wanted to get another posting star...

Jim