NEWSLETTER

IDENTITY THEFT - POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONS

• When 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 should know how you sign your checks.

• 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 of your credit card.  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 number on your checks instead of your home phone.  If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address.  Never have your Social Security Number printed on your checks.  You can add it if  necessary.  But if you have printed it, anyone can capture it.

• Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine.  Print 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.

• File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen.  This proves to credit providers that your were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there is one).

• Call the 3 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 report knows your information has been stolen, and they should contact you you by phone to authorize new credit.

Contact numbers if your wallet, etc., has been lost or stolen.