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Title: Good advice from our Company Attorney Post by Redd715 on Jan 11th, 2005, 9:04pm An Attorney's Advice .and it's FREE! 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! Our corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company, and the companies he represents: The next time you order checks, omit your first name and have only your initials and last name put on them. If someone takes your check book 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, etc. 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: 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 easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this). 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 in their tracks. The numbers are: Equifax:1-800-525-6285 Experian:(formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 Trans Union:1-800-680-7289 Social Security Administration (fraud line):1-800-269-0271 We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. Pass this information along. It could really help someone you care about. |
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Title: Re: Good advice from our Company Attorney Post by Charlie on Jan 11th, 2005, 10:21pm Thanks Redd. Some good stuff there. My HMO pisses me off because they insist on using SS numbers as account numbers. As a result, I have to go though lots of BS when my card is called for. I refuse to carry it. I have the necessary stuff in my wallet but never my Social Security No. I guess they thinkl it's weird that I know it........ Nice info Redd. Charlie |
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Title: Re: Good advice from our Company Attorney Post by purpleydog on Jan 11th, 2005, 10:39pm Excellent advice. I never put any account numbers on any checks I write. They have always gotten payments correctly. And another thing, when you are writing checks in public, keep your hand over you account number on your check. Almost anyone can see it if they are in the right position. Along with your name and address. And, the only people who need your social security number, are the SS administration, and your health insurance. It's no one elses business. I always shred anything that has my name and address on it, including those pre-approved credit card applications. That way any dumpster divers can't get access. Call me paranoid... |
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Title: Re: Good advice from our Company Attorney Post by Rock_Lobster on Jan 11th, 2005, 10:43pm Good info Redd. Thx for posting this. |
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Title: Re: Good advice from our Company Attorney Post by vig on Jan 11th, 2005, 11:28pm thanks Pegg! |
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