[bksvol-discuss] Tips on identity theft.

From: "Lynn I" <lynnskyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "bkshare discussion" <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 14:20:55 -0500
Hi:

Here are some simple things we can all do to avoid having our personal 
information stolen.  These tips are not all inclusive but they're a beginning.

block quote
Important Attorney's Advice

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the
employees in his company.

 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. 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 will not have access to it.

 4. 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. You can 
add it if it
is necessary. However, 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. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when 
traveling
either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about  fraud that is 
committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, or credit 
cards.

 6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for
keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them 
with you and destroy them.
Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, 
including address and credit card
numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the 
hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.

Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case identity theft 
happens to you or someone you know:

 1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. 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). However, here is what is perhaps most important of 
all... 

 3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place 
a fraud alert on your name and Social  Security number. 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. 

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact
about your wallet and contents being stolen:

 1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
 2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
 3.) TransUnion: 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. 
Nevertheless, if you are willing to pass this information along, it could 
really help someone about who you care.

block quote end

I do not know the source of this information.  It was passed along to me via 
e-mail.  I wanted to share it because it was helpful to me and made me much 
more aware of what can happens when your personal information is readily 
available.

Here's  something else to consider.  To keep my cell phone number from showing 
up on a businesses caller ID, I use *67 before the business number.  By doing 
this, the business I call will not have a record of my cell number.  This, I am 
told, works on a land line as well.

Lynn
[bksvol-discuss] Tips on identity theft.

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