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One of the many public service announcements brought to by the
friendly folks
at Seewald's art gallery. Don't forget to help them out, see 'donation'
form above.
This is good
information and probably the only free advice you will ever get from an
attorney.
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
company. We pass it along, for your information.
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.
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 number printed on your checks - you can add it if it is
necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
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. Also carry a photocopy of your
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, credit cards, etc.
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 on-line, and more.
But 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
your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can
find them easily.
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen,
this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step
toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I 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 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 in their tracks.
The numbers are 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 |
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