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Mon 8 Mar, 2004 09:05 am
AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday.
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, 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
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).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this).
3. 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
Also, when you're traveling, make four copies of all information on your wallet furniture and your passport and visa numbers anda list of your traveller's check numbers.
One copy is for your purse/wallet, the second for your suitcase, the third for your travelling companion and the fourth for someone back home.
All good advice!
I have several credit cards, but I only carry one with me in my wallet. This is the card with the lowest limit for credit. This makes things easier, in case my wallet disappears.
Noddy24 wrote:Also, when you're traveling, make four copies of all information on your wallet furniture and your passport and visa numbers anda list of your traveller's check numbers.
One copy is for your purse/wallet, the second for your suitcase, the third for your travelling companion and the fourth for someone back home.
When making copies of everything, be sure you don't leave any papers behind near the copier!
I've been using the entire credit card number for payments. That's good advice which I will follow from now on.
roger wrote:I've been using the entire credit card number for payments. That's good advice which I will follow from now on.
The credit card companies tell you to write your account number on your check. What happens, if you only write the last 4 numbers?
Ooo! This is very good information.
I try to be as diligent as possible with my personal info. I shred anything with my name and/or info on it.
Also - if you can squeeze it on the signature plate on the back of the credit card - print "see photo id"
I just did my bills for the month. MasterCard got my money I.D'd with the last five number of my account.
Last month I did the same thing--and they accepted my payment just as quickly as usual.
Noddy24 wrote:I just did my bills for the month. MasterCard got my money I.D'd with the last five number of my account.
Last month I did the same thing--and they accepted my payment just as quickly as usual.
last 5 numbers?
So what do you have to write?
Something like:
XXXX-XXXX-XX01-234 ?
If so, that's what I'll do!
Miller--
I just write the last five numbers--the way Amazon (or other on line companies) do with "Charged to your account ...12345."
I'll try that the next time.
We've asked our credit card company about the account number on checks issue; they told us that as long as we're sending the little payment stub from our bill in the same envelope, the check didn't need an acct no. I stopped putting the account number on our checks 6 or 7 months ago and haven't had any problems.
I've never put my billing account number on checks, though I always include the billing notice. Many years have passed with no problem from not writing the account number.
lab rat wrote:We've asked our credit card company about the account number on checks issue; they told us that as long as we're sending the little payment stub from our bill in the same envelope, the check didn't need an acct no. I stopped putting the account number on our checks 6 or 7 months ago and haven't had any problems.
This sounds like a good approach to me. But, when you want to send extra payments, without the stub, do you go ahead and write the whole account number on the check?