Identity Theft and Lost or Stolen Credit Cards

We got this from a friend, and post it here because at Geek On Wheels We agree that this article is excellent advice. In addition to the points given below on how to minimize the damage in the event your wallet is stolen, we would also caution people, not to sign their credit cards. Instead, write "Ask for ID" in that place. That way, any person who would try to present the card will have to show a picture ID, and they don't have your signature to practice forging.

When shopping online always make sure any site you are going to purchase from has their checkout system under SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) you will be able to tell easily by the address starting with https:// and a padlock at the bottom of your browser and when the merchants checkout page asks for your credit card number and expiration date check to see if this merchant is using the CVV2 code (the last 3 numbers on the back of your credit card.)

Of course it doesn't prevent them for using it in some other way, nor does it help when clerks do not ask for an ID. (If a clerk doesn`t ask you for ID when you present your credit card ask them why....) But it is just one more obstacle for a thief to overcome.

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.
    
   
2. 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.
    
   
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.
    
   
5. 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.
    
   
6. 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.
    
   
7. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.
    
   
8. 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 as an attorney, I have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thief or 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 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.