Darned Good Advice

[blim]

Kudos to SisterSue. LOVE number 4 and heading to a copy machine as soon as the weather straightens out

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday.

1.) Do not sign the back of your credit cards . Instead, put ' PHOTO ID REQUIRED '

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.

You can add it if it is necessary.

But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

***Me--seems it would go for drivers license numbers, too--if it's required, just write it on the check, you'll eventually learn to memorize it and that's a good thing!***

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.

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 :

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.

Contacting the Social Security fraud dept.will prevent new credit applications/cards being issued, as an alert will be in place.

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.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289.)

Me--If you call Equifax, they alert the other two companies, been there done that when an important computer was stolen from Daughter's College and they sent us "the 'beware letter'".....

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

Liz

[echobay]

To quote a phrase.."darn good advice"

[novi]

Wow Liz,

That was great! Gonna copy that one for sure.

Take care,

Pat

[martymas]

hey liz your husband and family must

envy your wisdom

dam good advice

marty

[papa]

Good advice Liz!

I have done the no sign credit/debit card thing for years, I have found, amazing as it is, most vendors do not check the back of the card!

I then ask why???

Papa

[Besttechie]

Definitely very good advice, which most younger people today don't know about or if they do don't use it.

Thanks for sharing Liz!

B