An Attorney's Advice - No Charge!

G

Gotholic

Well-Known Member
I received this in my e-mail and I would like to share it with you...

An Attorney's Advice - No Charge!

The following very helpful security information was provided by a corporate attorney for the employees in his company. Part 1 includes very helpful security measures. Part 2 is what to do if you lose your wallet. This is some very valuable information folks.

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. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "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 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.

5. 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:

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 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.)

3. 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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1 is a good idea. In my case however, if you can read the sig...it sure as shit ain't mine.

2 I've been doing for years.

3 pay online

4 I pay for an unlisted unpublished number...nobody gets it
 
banks don't actually look at the signatures. When the ex-wife was on ym checking account, the check sshe wrote always went through or were returned NSF... but were never returned for an unmatching signature, even though she didn't see a need to sign her name the same way twice.
 
Inkara1 said:
banks don't actually look at the signatures. When the ex-wife was on ym checking account, the check sshe wrote always went through or were returned NSF... but were never returned for an unmatching signature, even though she didn't see a need to sign her name the same way twice.
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I just ended a 12-year-stint with a large Southeastern bank. I can concur that this is the truth. I've seen checks that have cleared with no signature on them at all.

The "SEE ID" on the back of a credit or debit card will all but guarantee that your card will not be accepted in some establishments.
 
mondomondo said:
The "SEE ID" on the back of a credit or debit card will all but guarantee that your card will not be accepted in some establishments.
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I knew that one. My credit card is a photo ID. If your bank doesn't offer it, I'd ask why not.

People still write checks?????
 
I have to. I pay rent. My landlord is particularly behind the times, but most places require a check or money order on the first and don't have any sort of electronic payment set up.
 
I pay my mortgage online. Been thinking about setting it up as an automatic draft. Tell your lanlord to join the rest of us in the 21st century. I'm sure he'd take the advice kindly. ;)
 
My rental agreement is typewritten with a couple of provisions handwritten, if it's any indication. I have to mail my check to a PO Box and hope the post office doesn't lose it again.
 
mondomondo said:
The "SEE ID" on the back of a credit or debit card will all but guarantee that your card will not be accepted in some establishments.
Click to expand...

So, we sign the card, allowing the thief to see, and copy, our signature but requiring them to show picture ID before acceptance may not be allowed. I've done this for over a decade & travelled extensively & never had a problem (other than 90% not even bothering to look at the back of the card). If someone refused to accept my SEE ID signature panel, I'd be quite pleased to take my business elsewhere.
 
Now, it's been a whaile since I was in a position to accept a credit card (excluding ebay) but when I was I was always intructed to look at the signature and not to accept any card that wasn't signed. :shrug:
 
If you see SEE ID, picture ID is presented to you & it matches, it's better than a sig...I'd risk my job on those prospects because you can damn well bet that the card holder is much more likely to be the card owner.
 
Gonz said:
If you see SEE ID, picture ID is presented to you & it matches, it's better than a sig...I'd risk my job on those prospects because you can damn well bet that the card holder is much more likely to be the card owner.
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I don't disagree (my card has my picture on it), but isn't it true (I'm pretty sure it used to be) that your card is not technically "activated" until you sign it? If someone takes your unsigned card and you dispute the charges they don't have a legal leg to stand on in that case.
 
I was a renter not too long ago, meaning this century. Rented from 4 different landlords, none would take anything other then a check or cash. Is the entire rental industry behind the times?
 
Most landlords won't take cash these days. Check or money order only. It's a real pain when, for example, the wife gets the bank account shut down, because then money orders are required, which is bad enough because there's a fee... but the limit for money orders is $500 and the rent, in this example, is $515, meaning two money orders and two fees are required.
 
chcr said:
I don't disagree (my card has my picture on it), but isn't it true (I'm pretty sure it used to be) that your card is not technically "activated" until you sign it? If someone takes your unsigned card and you dispute the charges they don't have a legal leg to stand on in that case.
Click to expand...

If the card is "unsigned" how can it be used? Since there are express limitations placed upon the card by the authorized account holder, the merchant should be at fault.

Of course, we're talking banking. They have more rules & regulations that he IRS.
 
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