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02/05/2005 06:59:44 PM · #1 |
Just a copy & paste of something we should ALL heed:
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
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. 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.
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. 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.
4. 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 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. 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 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 you know:
5. 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.
6. 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).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all : (I never even thought to do this.)
7. 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 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.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc has been stolen:
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
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02/05/2005 07:05:18 PM · #2 |
if someone wants to steal my credit, they're more than welcome to...it won't do them anymore good than it does me.
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02/05/2005 07:09:52 PM · #3 |
Great.
That will really spike up the paranoia.
Please, you are no more vulnerable to ID theft or anything else than you were 30 years ago. In fact today you can check your balances daily if you want. All this BS being pushed through âpass it onâ e-mails and web sites is nothing more than fuel to the irrational fears of the big bad internet.
DW
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02/05/2005 07:20:58 PM · #4 |
I just don't think the one (#1) about just putting your intials on your checks really matters - I don't think anyone at the bank even looks at your sig. I sign my checks in a number of different ways, I also sign my husband's checks on occasion, and have even signed my best friend's checks and have signed his credit card receipts (with my name!) on occasion,(all with permission of the account holder/s) and have never been challenged on or about any of these occasions, or had any questions from the bank.
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02/05/2005 07:25:02 PM · #5 |
On occasions, in the pub I've signed credidcard slips as superman, but I've stopped that nonsense and now sign as Clark Kent :)
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02/05/2005 07:25:39 PM · #6 |
A lot that seems to be a way to help "in case".
Somebody wants something bad enough, they will get it. In the meantime, I will continue to shred anything with important numbers on it.
As someone who owns a home, a business, and has $30K available credit in their wallet, a lot of damage can be done if info gets in the wrong hands.
I'll play it safe.
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02/05/2005 07:30:01 PM · #7 |
| brad , I do the same thing , shred everything with your name on it |
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02/05/2005 07:50:48 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by BradP:
Just a copy & paste of something we should ALL heed:
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
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. |
Most Banks will do this for you but please keep in mind most retail stores will not accept a personal check without "preprinted full name". A check is a promise to pay and no company is required to accept a check. With that said good idea just keep in mind you may have use your CC/Debit card instead at those places.
Originally posted by BradP:
2. 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. |
Totally agree!
Originally posted by BradP:
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. 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. |
Phone # Agreed! - Most retail establishments will not accept a check with a P.O. Box, must be a physical address for there safety. - SS# Agreed!
Originally posted by BradP:
4. 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 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. 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 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 you know: |
Totally Agree!
Originally posted by BradP:
5. 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. |
Totally Agree!
Originally posted by BradP:
6. 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). |
Totally Agree!
Originally posted by BradP:
But here's what is perhaps most important of all : (I never even thought to do this.)
7. 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 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.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc has been stolen:
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 |
Did not think about this!
Message edited by author 2005-02-05 19:57:00.
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02/05/2005 08:02:19 PM · #9 |
Also keep in mind all it takes for thieves to get your information is:
1. The last 4 of your social and a utility bill. Especially a cable bill.
and
2. If you have an accident watch out who you exchange information with.
Those to things alone can destroy your credit and more. So watch what you toss in the trash. I suggest a good shredder for all bills and receipts.
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02/05/2005 08:20:59 PM · #10 |
I also do not sign my credit cards , I use a magic marker and write
SEE ID and the store asks for my ID and when they don't ask me i break there chops |
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02/05/2005 08:25:02 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by TLL061:
I also do not sign my credit cards , I use a magic marker and write
SEE ID and the store asks for my ID and when they don't ask me i break there chops |
Hehehe - glad to see I'm not the only one! |
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02/05/2005 08:29:40 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by BradP:
Originally posted by TLL061:
I also do not sign my credit cards , I use a magic marker and write
SEE ID and the store asks for my ID and when they don't ask me i break there chops |
Hehehe - glad to see I'm not the only one! |
That's an interesting IDea, unless the thief gets your whole wallet, and they look at all like your ID photo ... |
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02/05/2005 09:20:45 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by BradP:
Originally posted by TLL061:
I also do not sign my credit cards , I use a magic marker and write
SEE ID and the store asks for my ID and when they don't ask me i break there chops |
Hehehe - glad to see I'm not the only one! |
I do this also and am amazed how many times the clerks read that and then just hand the card to me, never asking for my ID. One of these days I'll be in a pissy mood and ask for the manager.
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02/05/2005 09:33:32 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by cbeller:
Originally posted by BradP:
Originally posted by TLL061:
I also do not sign my credit cards , I use a magic marker and write
SEE ID and the store asks for my ID and when they don't ask me i break there chops |
Hehehe - glad to see I'm not the only one! |
I do this also and am amazed how many times the clerks read that and then just hand the card to me, never asking for my ID. One of these days I'll be in a pissy mood and ask for the manager. |
I understand what you are saying. I have had to fire an employee for doing that. And Ironically had to fire another because they accepted a Visa that had 'See ID' because of a charge back. Visa is not responsible for any losses if the card is not signed. So its puts the customer and employee in a bad situation. There needs to be a better way of security.
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02/05/2005 09:37:54 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by SDW65:
Originally posted by cbeller:
Originally posted by BradP:
Originally posted by TLL061:
I also do not sign my credit cards , I use a magic marker and write
SEE ID and the store asks for my ID and when they don't ask me i break there chops |
Hehehe - glad to see I'm not the only one! |
I do this also and am amazed how many times the clerks read that and then just hand the card to me, never asking for my ID. One of these days I'll be in a pissy mood and ask for the manager. |
I understand what you are saying. I have had to fire an employee for doing that. And Ironically had to fire another because they accepted a Visa that had 'See ID' because of a charge back. Visa is not responsible for any losses if the card is not signed. So its puts the customer and employee in a bad situation. There needs to be a better way of security. |
How does the CC company know that the card you accepted, and which was charged back, was not signed? How can they prove that the thief didn't sign an unsigned card?
Robt.
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02/05/2005 09:42:47 PM · #16 |
In the two cases I posted:
1. An man complained that an employee accepted the cc without it being signed. I,the manager, apologized to him but he did not let it go. He called visa, then the DSM at which time loss prevention was called in and the employee confessed. Broke under pressure.
2. Thief found with card! By law card was placed in evidence. Visa found out it was not signed but instead had "See ID" on the back. The Charged back the store for a little more than $4000
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02/05/2005 09:55:08 PM · #17 |
The card itself is not valid unless signed, any purchases made with an unsigned card are not valid purchases according to the contract agreed upon with the card company. Signing a card 'See ID' is worse; it is literally stating the name of the card holder is named 'See ID'. If that name does not match what is on the front of the card ...
There are legal and binding contracts between the card holder and the card company, as well as contracts between a store accepting the card and the card company. Those contracts spell out how the card is to be used -- anything else and its up to the card company if they want to honor it or not.
David
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02/05/2005 10:01:03 PM · #18 |
A lot of credit card companies have a service where you can register other credit cards with them, so that it only takes one number to call and cancel them all if needed...
I have no idea why anyone would still use checks nowadays. Even DMV around here accepts online payments. I don't remember the last time i wrote a check...
And one more number to know is the Identity Theft Hotline: 877-ID-THEFT (438-4338). Btw, 60% of identity thefts are made by someone you know and/or trust. |
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02/05/2005 10:03:28 PM · #19 |
Visa view on "SEE ID" and more
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02/05/2005 10:52:33 PM · #20 |
I had to do #7 above recently..... Seems that a group of thieves stole most of the computers at an H&R Block branch in my area a few months ago, that contained all my info.
So we called Equifax to put a 3-month check/block on any new account activity. You don't have to call all 3 credit agencies... They will automatically notify each other and add the block.
So far so good, no fraud as of yet. :) I'll add another 3 months after this period is up.
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02/05/2005 11:10:11 PM · #21 |
| It's all a big hoax to sell shredding machines! |
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02/05/2005 11:37:03 PM · #22 |
One area that is never mentioned on identity thefts is job applications...whether you are looking for a new job or can rifle the file where you work...
what is on an app?
name and address, SS#, phone number, work history....and more and more have an auth for credit checks and drivers license number.
Given that info, anyone could use the net to find folks with good credit and go for broke. literally.
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02/06/2005 10:51:37 AM · #23 |
I've never in my life signed or written on the back of any credit card that I have ever had and I have yet to have any clerk even mention it.
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02/06/2005 11:42:07 AM · #24 |
| My bank said sometimes thiefs will get the information they need, then wait a year or more to use it. So I'd put more than a 3 month warning on my credit report. |
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02/06/2005 11:57:02 AM · #25 |
| why can't they incrip a signuture in you card so when you swipe your card it come's up on there computer screen and let there computer check the signuture and also incrip your picture in the card so it comes also so the clerk can see your picture |
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