ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE

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ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE

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2005-05-05 11:57:00

ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE

1. The next time you order checks have only your first initials and
last name put on them.( i.e. R.C. Smith). 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 Box use that instead of your home address. If you do
not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS or
license # printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary.
But if you have it printed, anyone can get it and use them.

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 another 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
at home and on trips.

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.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
2.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
3.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
4.) Trans : 1-800-680-7289

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