Protecting Yourself Against Fraud

The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) 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.  If you do not have a PO Box use  your work address.

Never have your SS# printed on your checks --  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.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards,  etc.  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: Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.  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.

The numbers  are:

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.