Preventing Identity Theft & What To Do If It Happens
I feel very strongly about this topic because Identity Theft has happened to me several times. The tips John provides in his blog below are excellent tips to help prevent ID theft from happening to you.
In addition, I would add that if you are at a restaurant where you can not see the waiter process your credit card, you may want to consider paying with cash. One of the times our credit card information was stolen was at a restaurant. The thief had a great time purchasing a high dollar computer at Best Buy. Fortunately, Best Buy did call us to confirm the charge before it was processed.
I also wrote of my experience in this blog post: http://www.housesbya2z.com/blog/2012/07/18/did-you-purchase-a-mac-book-pro-credit-card-fraud-up-close-and-personal/
Preventing Identity Theft & What To Do If It Happens
1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.' Better yet have your photo on your credit cards.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.)
7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number.
These are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it 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
Albuquerque Homes and Lifestyle Blog
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John McCormack Owner/Managing Broker, e-PRO
505-980-4576 / John@AlbuquerqueHomes.com
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