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ATTORNEY'S ADVICE - NO CHARGE -
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
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.Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED". Based off the advice below, you should sign your name but still write in "SEE ID".
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "Fr" 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.
4. 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.
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. 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 your wallet is stolen.
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 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:
3. Call the 3 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.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., 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
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.
More good advice in the comments.
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
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.
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "Fr" 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.
4. 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.
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. 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 your wallet is stolen.
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 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:
3. Call the 3 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.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., 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
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.
More good advice in the comments.
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It is really up to the retailer to request photo identification to verify the proper use of a card...if I accept a charge, for instance, and it turns out to be invalid because it was a stolen card or something, I can be fucked over with some nasty penalties for that and repeated problems can increase my transaction rates and/or end my ability to process cards through a certain bank.
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There is nothing more panic inspiring as being in a foriegn country and being unable to access money because you are being told that your card is invalid. I had to leave that bank, sign the card, and find a different bank to obtain the funds I needed.
All my cards are now signed and have the request to request picture ID under the signature. I personally say thank you to every clerk that checks and asks.
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I had my wallet stolen about 10 years ago with 3 credit cards, an ATM card, Social Security card and all sorts of other stuff in it, none of which I'd needed at the time. Lesson learned the hard way!
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I've often wondered how many celebrities don't know to use a different signature for autographs than for, like, checks and things.
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ooooo ::cringe:: y'know that's a good point...
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So I guess I've always done that without even knowing about it. *g*
Another tip is to take all those photocopies of your credit cards (and also do your passport and your social security card), and buy one of those fireproof lock boxes and put them in there and stick it in your closet.
Have another set somewhere else, but definitely keep a set in a fireproof lockbox.
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Mind you, I bank by mail, and when I mail in a deposit, I still don't actually endorse the check, but write "For deposit only into acct # [blah]" on the back.
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i've noticed a lot of people don't even look to see if the card is signed any more -_-;
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Until they starting putting holograms over them or something, it'll probably stay that way.
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