GRAMPS SS
04-27-2007, 02:14 PM
don't know if this has been posted before...but it is usefull imformation
Very helpful - Attorney's Advice - NO CHARGE
>>Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer
>>to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A
>>corporate Attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
>>company.
>>Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID
>>REQUIRED."
>>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.
>>Put your Work Phone # on your checks instead of your Home Phone. If
>>you have a P O Box use that instead of your Home Address. If you do
>>not have a P O Box, use your Work Address.
>>Never have your SS # printed on your checks. You can add it if it
>>is necessary. Why? If you have it printed, anyone can get it and
>>use it.
>>Duplicate 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, or Credit
>>Cards.
>>Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my
>>wallet was stolen recently. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered a
>>monthly cell phone package, applied for a V ISA cr edit 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:
>>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 how to call. Keep those where you can find them.
>>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 the first step toward an
>>Investigation (if there ever is one).
>>Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to
>>place a fraud alert on your name.
>>Also, call the Social Security Fraud line number. I had never heard
>>of doing that until advised by my 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 thieve(s) purchases, none of which I
>>knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional
>>damage has been done, and
>>the thieve(s) 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 or purse, etc., having been stolen: (make all four calls)
>>1.) Equifax: 800-525-6285
>>2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742
>>3.) Trans Union: 800-680-7289
>>4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800-269-0271
>>
Very helpful - Attorney's Advice - NO CHARGE
>>Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer
>>to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A
>>corporate Attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
>>company.
>>Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID
>>REQUIRED."
>>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.
>>Put your Work Phone # on your checks instead of your Home Phone. If
>>you have a P O Box use that instead of your Home Address. If you do
>>not have a P O Box, use your Work Address.
>>Never have your SS # printed on your checks. You can add it if it
>>is necessary. Why? If you have it printed, anyone can get it and
>>use it.
>>Duplicate 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, or Credit
>>Cards.
>>Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my
>>wallet was stolen recently. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered a
>>monthly cell phone package, applied for a V ISA cr edit 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:
>>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 how to call. Keep those where you can find them.
>>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 the first step toward an
>>Investigation (if there ever is one).
>>Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to
>>place a fraud alert on your name.
>>Also, call the Social Security Fraud line number. I had never heard
>>of doing that until advised by my 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 thieve(s) purchases, none of which I
>>knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional
>>damage has been done, and
>>the thieve(s) 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 or purse, etc., having been stolen: (make all four calls)
>>1.) Equifax: 800-525-6285
>>2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742
>>3.) Trans Union: 800-680-7289
>>4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800-269-0271
>>