Prevent Identity Theft. Some very strong words of wisdom

[snagd]

I know this is not fish related and very lenghty, but I want to get it out to as many people as possible.

We've all heard about identity theft. I have a co-worker who left his briefcase in his truck and someone broke in and stole it. This had his life in it. All his charge cards, Driver's licnese, 2 check books, etc. Within a few short hours, the crooks had fake ID in his name and were out on the town writing checks and using his credit cards. This was over a year ago and he is still deep in crap from it trying to clean up the mess.

The below text was forwarded to me via E:Mail today. I STRONGLY suggest that everyone read it and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it some day. Maybe we should all take some of his advice![font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]or your first name but your bank will know how you[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]sign your checks.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts,[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]number and anyone who might be handling your check as[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font] it passes through all the check processing channels[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]won't have access to it.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

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. [size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]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.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each [font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font] carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]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.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer,[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]immediately. But the key is having the toll free[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]to call. Keep those where you can find them[font "Times New Roman"][size 3].[/size][/font]

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]
[/size][/font]credit providers[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]you were diligent, and is a first[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).<--- Highly recommended and it pays off![font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this).[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

3. Call the three national credit reporting[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]Social Security number. I had never heard of doing[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font] By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]after the theft, all the damage had been done.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]stopped them in their tracks.[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

The numbers are:[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]
[/size][/font] Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]
[/size][/font] Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]

Social Security Administration (fraud line):[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font] 1-800-269-0271[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
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[cat_man]

Great information snagd! Thanks for the info.
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[tubeN2]

[cool] Hey there snagd, thanks for the very useful info. There is only one catch, if you don't mind. Some banks in some states don't accept a PO box as a valid address. Please check with your local bank to verify if a PO box is an acceptable form of address.
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[polokid]

Speaking to the choir with this subject. 3 years ago, I had a guy in Oregon (a state I have never been to) steal my idenity some where off the internet. He took me for $100,000 ride. not fun it took 2 1/2 years to clear this up, and I worked for a attorney that specialized in credit matters. While dealing with this problem i learned a desterbing fact: 1 out of 4 people will encounter some type of idenity/credit fraud in there life!!! well back to fishing!!!!
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[fish4fish]

Thanks for the info. I too have had this about happen to me. last year i wen to use my debit card and i was told that it was declined, this puzzled me because i knew there was money in the account. when i called the bank they told me that one of the computer systems i had used the card at the previous day had been hacked into and my number was potentially stolen so the cancelled it and issued me a new card. I am glad that they caught this for me.
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[fishfather]

[size 2]Someother issues you may run into:[/size]

[size 2]>Using a check for pizza deliveries,etc. They will want to see you full name, address and home phone#. Also alot of stores will too.[/size]

[size 2]>FedEx,UPS,RPS and Airborne Express do not deliver to PO BOX's.[/size]

[size 2] I can add some things to that. Use common sense. DO NOT leave your wallet, purse or breifcase in plain site in your vehicle.[/size]

[size 2] Lock things in your truck if absolutley necessary and make sure no one is watching( best thing is don't do that )[/size]

[size 2] Any paperwork you receive with your name ( Advestisement )shred or tear up. Shredders run about $30. GREAT investment.[/size]

[size 2] Do not give any information out to parties calling you on phone unless you know who it is and verify it![/size]

[size 2] Shred all bank statements, credit card statements and mortgage and car statements. Also anything with your social security.[/size]

[size 2] I have done loss prevention for numerous different companies in the past and part of what I did was sensitive document control. The private citizen needs to do it too.[/size]

[size 2] Make sure to run a credit report on yourself once a year and immediatley call and cancel any credit cards you receive you did not order ( Unless a replacement card[])[/size]

[size 2] Insist any checks delivered to your home are SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Tell bank there are not to be left in mailbox or doorstep.[/size]

[size 2] I personally pick them up at the bank. Anyway I got tons of Security tips if anyone ever wants some. PM me[sly][/size]
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[FlyFishingMoose]

All great advise, if you don't want use a copy machine you can scan the same info into your home computer if you have a scanner. You can get lucky once in a while and buy one for the cost of the tax with rebates. That how I got my scanner. Cost $50 and got a $50 rebate back in about 6 weeks.
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[cat_man]

"[size 2]I can add some things to that. Use common sense. DO NOT leave your wallet, purse or breifcase in plain site in your vehicle."[/size]

[size 2]Better yet, NEVER leave your wallet or purse anywhere in your vehicle, EVER! I am so completely stumped. Lately in my area (Utah County, UTAH) I've heard so many reports of things stolen from vehicles at night, as well as during the day. The thing that is so unbelievable about it is that 90% of them were stolen from unlocked cars! For example, lately I've heard of CD's, CD players, wallets, and even the cars themselves being stolen because the doors were unlocked, and the keys were left in the vehicle! I just don't understand how someone can be that dumb! I would never leave my truck unlocked, not even if I'm going into the gas station for 30 seconds to pay for my gas. I ALWAYS lock it. And I never leave my wallet in there. If I leave a CD player in there, I lock it in the glove box or hide it under the seat. These things seem like common sense to me.[/size]
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[shark_hunter]

THAT IS SOME VERY GOOD INFO THANK YOU.
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