Thought you might find the following very helpful in protecting your identity……LeeA corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:* 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.
* When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOTput 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.* 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. 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.* 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:
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.
* 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).
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: 1-800-680-7289Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Pass this information along. It could really help someone you care about.
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Friday, September 19th, 2008
In case you missed it on my show recently…here are a few ways to save money during these unusual times….number one, shop on line , where you get free shipping, thereby saving on gas. Pay off all your bills on time….get your haircut at a beauty school…store loose change in a container and then cash it all in and with the holidays coming up, ask for gift cards..you’ll get so many that you can use them all year round…I’m sure you can think of other ways to keep more money in your pocket….Lee
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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
About a year ago I made a change in my eating habits and recently I found an article in Health Magazine that enforced my decision…..I started eating little mini meals about every three hours and that is one of the suggestions for a more healthy lifestyle mentioned in one of the latest editions . That habit prevents you from eating too much at one time…makes alot of sense. Some of the other ways include skipping the munchies that include white flour and sugar and begin lunch or dinner with a veggie-rich salad. There is more helpful advice at the magazine’s web site www.health.com
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