AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE. THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

December 5, 2004

Walt <kortron

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to

it someday. A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees

in his company. We should all take some of his advice!

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:

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 : (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.

December 7, 2004

Walt - Thank you so very much for sharing that information. I have taken some of those precautions in the past - as I have met many people (in my notary work) who have had their identities stolen. I have picked up a few tips over the years.

But some of those mentioned by this attorney are new to me.

I appreciate your post!!!121 <121 wrote:

Walt <kortronAN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE. THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

December 7, 2004

Hi Cassandra: I thought it good advice. Wink. Walt

-

Cassandra Mason

Tuesday, December 07, 2004 2:31 AM

Re: AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE. THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

Walt - Thank you so very much for sharing that information. I have taken some of those precautions in the past - as I have met many people (in my notary work) who have had their identities stolen. I have picked up a few tips over the years.

But some of those mentioned by this attorney are new to me.

I appreciate your post!!!121 <121 wrote:

Walt <kortronAN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE. THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

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