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, 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.)

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 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.