What else should you do to reduce risk of identity theft?
As a mortgage professional, I have heard all the horror stories about identity theft. The following are suggestions that I have passed on to my clients as ways to reduce the risk of identity theft. I hope this saves one of you the pain and suffering of identity theft.
1) Ordering checks? Omit your first name - instead, use your initials and last name on the check. 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. (Obviously, to make this work, make sure your checkbook doesn't have anything else that shows your first name - business card, etc. If the checkbook is lost, your cell phone number on the checks should provide enough information for its return.) Also, put your cell phone number or work number on the checks, not your home number. Never have your SS# printed on your checks - you can always add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
2) Writing checks to make credit card payments? DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For/reference" line of the check. 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) Place the contents of you 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 the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. (Make sure the phone numbers are legible!) Keep the photocopy in a safe place. If you travel with a passport, carry a photocopy of your passport in a safe place.
Have a great day!
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