Posted by Deborah R Gray on 2/20/07 7:40pm
Msg #176503

helpful information

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company. This is very good information. Please make copies of it and share with others.

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."

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 will not have access to it.

4. Put your work phone number 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 number printed on your checks, (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. However, 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 have 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 traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.

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6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.



Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have first-hand knowledge because my 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, and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online. Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. 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). However, here is what is perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this.)

3. 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 dead in their tracks.

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Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:

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

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/20/07 8:03pm
Msg #176508

Great reminder Deborah, Thanks! n/m

Reply by jojo_MN on 2/20/07 8:52pm
Msg #176516

The only thing I would add is on your checks, just put your name. No address or phone number. I learned this in two of the identity theft classes I took. The companies taking the check will ask for identification and if they want to write down the information, it is okay with me, but if anyone would steal my checkbook, they wouldn't have any idea where I live or work. Also, if someone would try to use my check, they would HAVE to provide identification. It is mind-boggling how many stores don't ask for i.d. when I write a check or use a credit card.

Reply by MelissaCT on 2/21/07 1:42pm
Msg #176608

CID or ask for ID in lieu of signature is silly

I can't count how many times I've had borrowers that had that on the back of their credit cards. Technically speaking, if someone signed a purchase with CID, the "signature" would match. Forging a real signature is much more difficult than one would think. Many people leave the signature panel blank & think that a criminal would see this & not be able to purchase without ID. Not true. That's the easiest thing to do -- sign the back with whatever name is on the front & use the card. The signature will then match...

What I worry about more is being *required* to list your SS# on your vehicle registration -- which must be carried in the vehicle at all times. One-stop shopping for ID thieves -- break into the car (most people keep this in the glove box anyway) & steal only that. Now the crook has the full name, address, signature, DL# and SS# all on one document. Whoever thought to require this should be shot!! -- We cut the SS# out of our registrations & if stopped & questioned about it, we'll gladly tell why it's missing.

Reply by Linda_in_MI on 2/20/07 9:41pm
Msg #176523

About that PHOTO ID REQUIRED and other thoughts

Thanks. This is a good reminder.

Some people may not put their SS# on their checks, but instead put their driver's license number; not a good idea either.

I had heard about not signing the back of credit cards before but instead writing ASK FOR ID. This worked great -- when they actually checked the signature space on the back--until Amtrak refused the card because based on the fact it DIDN'T have a signature. They said something to the effect that by not signing the back they couldn't prove it was my account/card. Now I not only have my signature, but also the phrase ASK FOR ID. In red sharpie. Funny though, at least where I shop, 9 out of 10 times the merchants don't even look at the back of the card to match signatures. When they do, I graciously thank them for it.

Reply by MichiganAl on 2/20/07 10:58pm
Msg #176537

Re: About that PHOTO ID REQUIRED and other thoughts

I've also had my card rejected for having "ask for I.D." instead of my signature.

Reply by Ndwa on 2/21/07 2:15am
Msg #176554

More important things

1. File an identity theft report with the FTC.

2. Set up a PIN/CODE for bank teller window transaction. You will be ask if a request for account balance, withdrawal, or cash back from deposit.

I didn't loose nor had my wallet stolen, but my personal informations were somehow compromised 6 years ago. I received almost $2K in wireless phone bill within one week and soon after I reported and flagged my credit report I started getting call from banks verifying if I'd applied for credit.

Reply by sue_pa on 2/21/07 6:52am
Msg #176562

Re: About that PHOTO ID REQUIRED and other thoughts

My local post office has a big sign stating cards with 'ask for id' on the back instead of a signature won't be accepted.

Reply by PAW on 2/21/07 5:46am
Msg #176557

Signatures on CC and ID

Not only will some merchants not accept an unsigned card (airlines, for example), the US Postal Service won't either. Our post office has the postal regulation posted in big bold black letters so everyone can see it before they get to the counter. The credit card MUST be signed BEFORE handing it to the clerk.

In a similar situation, would you accept an unsigned passport as identification for your notary duties?

Reply by jojo_MN on 2/21/07 7:38am
Msg #176567

When I took the identity theft classes, put on by law enforc

enforcement personnel, we were told to sign the card, but in a different color, such as Linda does, put "Ask for ID" in addition to the signature. The best way is to use a red sharpie. That way you are full-filling the signature requriement and making sure that identification is asked for (assuming they bother reading the back of the card). I also tell all tellers and checkout personnel thank you for asking.