Identity theft is a very real concern.  Compiled are some helpful suggestions to protect against identity theft, that not only can cause a huge inconvenience, but have drastic consequences to one’s life in general.

Following are tips that can protect you:

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards with your signature.   Instead, insert:    “PHOTO 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 will not have access to the check .
3. Put your work phone number 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 (well, DUH! I guess we know this point)  You can add a SS# only if it is necessary.
4. Copy the contents of your wallet, making sure you copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will then 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 to easily get hold of when needed. Carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. There are plenty of stories, beyond mine, of the horror stories about fraud that is committed when someone steals a name, address, Social Security number, or credit card/s number.
5. We have been told one should cancel our credit cards immediately when a credit card has been compromised. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card bank numbers handy so you know whom to call. Again, keep these contact and phone numbers where you can find them.

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).

MOST IMPORTANT
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. Do this step when advised by a bank that has called to tell you an application for credit was made over the Internet in your name or if an address change has been requested. 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.

Finally, here are the numbers you will need to contact should someone be accessing you personal or credit card information, or your wallet has been stolen:

(* also, when I contacted one bureau, the automated online process forwarded the information to the other (2) bureaus).

1.) Equifax:  800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW):  888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union:  800-6807289

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800-269-0271

Cliff Daniels
Active Properties
720 434 1418
cliff@actprop.com