Good Tips On Safeguarding Your Identity.

Follow these simple steps: 

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, print "PHOTO ID
REQUIRED".

3. 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.

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. Also carry a photocopy of
your passport when you 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.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine had his wallet was stolen last month.
Within a week, the thieves 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
driving record information online, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in the event this
happens to you or someone you know:

1. We've all been told to cancel our credit cards immediately. But
the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so
you know who to call. Keep those copies 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).

And, here's what's perhaps the 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 need to contact about your wallet, etc., that
has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experience (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

Let your friends and relatives know about this website and suggest they
pass it on to their friends as well.