Idenity theft and Credit card offers

Here is a new e-mail I got on Identity theft
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE
>> 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. 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 P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not
>> have a
>> P.O. 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
>> 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

I also found this on CBS morning show where you can stop those pre-approved credit card offers from coming to your home for 5 years or forever.
https://www.optoutprescreen.com

This message was edited Feb 19, 2007 9:17 AM

Thanks for the great advice. I am printing this out and also forwarding to family and friends.

Liz