Advice from a Lawyer
who had his Wallet Stolen
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 check
book 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.
4. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home 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.
6. 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,
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
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 easily.
2. 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).
3. 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
Pass this information along. It could really help someone you
care
about.
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