Identity Theft cont.

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, and 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:

 

5. 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.

 

6. 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.)

 

7.. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to

place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud

line 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: 800-525-6285

 

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742

 

3.) Trans Union: 800-6807289

 

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800-269-0271