Identity Theft advice: What you can do
 

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.

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.

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 (you can add it if it is necessary. But if
you have it printed, anyone can get it.

Photocopy the contents of your wallet , 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 thief 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 youknow:

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 dothis). 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

Best way to deal with identity theft:
Rack up immense debts on your credit cards
Commit an assload of federal offenses
Send death threats to the white house

Then, go into hiding. The person who stole your identity will most regret ever stealing it :glugglug

Photocopy the contents of your wallet , 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.


...some of the best advice you can give. A task that takes 15 minutes at most can save a ton of hassle if something goes wrong. I keep photocopies of my most important documents in a fire safe at home and a safetly deposit box at the bank.

Awesome advice. Some of it I already knew but most I had never thought of. Thanks!:thumbsup

I went through this about 6 months ago. Someone stole a couple of my checks and ordered new checks with them they then wrote about 60 checks and opened up 10 credit accounts in my name so they drained my account and racked up about 40K in credit debt within a few days. the person that did this has been caught, conviced ( well, he pled out ) and sentenced and is now in jail and I'm still dealing with all the headaches. contacting the credit reporting agencies is a great thing to do as a preventative measure also the photocopies thing is a very good idea. I went out and bought a little safe that I keep everything in including my check book. Also, if you don't already have one buy a paper shredder and shred anything that has your name, address or any info about you on it.