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IDENTITY THEFT COUNTER MEASURES

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of your 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 in bold print "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 P.O. Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P O Box, use your work address. NEVER put your Social Security Number printed on your checks. 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, passport , etc. You will know EXACTLY 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. You can carry a photocopy of the passport when you 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, a victim of identity theft had her wallet stolen and within a week, the thieve(s) had 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 her 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 or sheriff report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit card providers that you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation.

But here's what is perhaps most important of all :

3. Call the ( 3 ) national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a FRAUD/STOLEN ALERT status on your identity name and Social Security number. Don’t wait a moment if you think there is something wrong –Use Common Sense. The Fraud/Stolen 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.
Please do not wait until after the theft or all the damage has been done.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet , purse , 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