Some good advice

[Reef]

I got this in an email forward:

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 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.(DUH!) 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. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when 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.

----------
critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

1. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen.

2. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

[InchoateHand]

Some of these I had not thought of or heard before. Very good post.

[Alobar]

[ QUOTE ]
I

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

[/ QUOTE ]

FYI the US post office will not accept a credit card transaction unless your actual signature is on the back, if you ahve something like "ask for ID" or whatever, they are supposed to refuse it.

Most of the time they dont care (hell most of the time people look at the "ask for ID" and still dotn ask for my ID) but I've had it happen to me at two different post offices where the Ahole wouldnt take my card.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

[/ QUOTE ]

FYI the US post office will not accept a credit card transaction unless your actual signature is on the back, if you ahve something like "ask for ID" or whatever, they are supposed to refuse it.

Most of the time they dont care (hell most of the time people look at the "ask for ID" and still dotn ask for my ID) but I've had it happen to me at two different post offices where the Ahole wouldnt take my card.

[/ QUOTE ]

maybe sign it AND write "photo ID check required" ?