A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
I pass it along, for your information.

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 check book 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. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone.

3. 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.

4. Never have your SS# printed on your checks-you can add it if it is
necessary. But 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. I also carry a
photocopy of my Passport when I travel either here or abroad.

6. 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 on-line, 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 whom to call.
Keep those where you can find them easily.

6a. 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).

6b. But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this) 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

We pass along jokes; we pass along just about everything. Do think about
passing this information along. It could really help someone you care abo

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