Free Advice From An Attorney

Denny Eller

Well-Known Member
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. Do not sign the back of your credit cards.
Instead, put 'Second form of ID required.'

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 no t 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 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 first hand
knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month.
Within a week, the thieves 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:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit
cardsimmediately. 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.. 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 be en 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, 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

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along
just about everything.

If you are willing to pass this information along, it
could really help someone that you care about..
 
Good tips. When I moved last year and ordered new checks, my bank advised me to not put my driver's license number on them either.
 
Great advice Denny, particularly with the holiday season upon us. This time of year, more theft and fraud cases are reported than any other. I was particularly thankfull for #4. I had never thought of making photo copies of all of my IDs and credit cards. I have all of the contact information for each programmed into my phone in the event of such an instance, but now I realize that if I'm ever mugged my phone may be stollen along with my wallet.

I often give similar advice as #1 to all of my friends and family. Whenever one of my cards is replaced for whatever reason the first thing I do is to write "Check ID" on the back of the card. In order for a credit card to be valid, it must be signed (just like a check) in order to match signatures from the card and receipt. In today's age, we rarely sign receipts when using our cards, but retailers should always check your identification (particularly when making substantial purchases). I had a very heated discussion at a majorl sporting goods store last Christmas about this fact. I had purchased approximately $500 worth of goods and all that was required was a swipe of my card (no signature, in ink or electronically required). I became a bit frustrated that there were no attempts to discourage fraud by thier proceedures. Upon my next visit to the store, I found that everyone using a card as payment was not only required to sign electronically but was also required to furnish a photo ID (a win for the good guys).

When I visit restaurants where I am asked to pay at the table, I most always use either a credit or debit card. Once again, your server should verify your ID but rarely do. I'm sure I have upset more than one server when I do not leave a tip due to thier lack of attention to detail to the "Check ID" clearly printed on the back of the card. On the other hand, checking my ID will automatically get a server a 20% tip even if the service was less than desired. I never fail to say "thank you" when I am asked to provide proof of ID whenever I use a card.

Thank you for sharing this wonderfull advice Denny. Hopefully it can save someone alot of frustration.
 
Are there any credit cards that have pin numbers? I have used my debit card many places, and quite a few of them have a handheld pin number punch to be able to have even small places safer from fraudulent purchases. The pin can be a hassle if it is only like a $5 purchase, but I appreciate doing it because those 4 digits have 10,000 different options to keep my card safe.


One thing I have noticed is the high customer businesses do not check for ID's. I know at the carwash I work at, we can't afford the time to wait for an ID, and I have seen people take a relatives car through, using the relatives card. And whenever I have paid at McDonald's or Rally's, I've never once signed a receipt.


But, I have also seen a lot of cards with SEE ID on the back of them as I swipe them.


Edited to add: I forgot that we do require signatures on purchases over $100.
 
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