Identity Theft-Some Great Tips Courtesy of NALS of Tucson and So. Arizona

Most of my readers know I'm a member of the legal profession and am in fact an office holder on all three levels of a tri-level organization. That organization is NALS...The Association for Legal Professionals. On the local level, we are NALS of Tucson and So. Arizona ["NTSA"] and NALS of Arizona ["NOA"].

We have a wonderful monthly newsletter at the NTSA level and occasionally, there are articles relevant to the public at large, not just the profession. This is one of those articles, and since we've just passed the holiday season, where we were likely to be less vigilant with our credit cards and checkbooks, I thought this would be something we could all use. The article was contributed by our NTSA President and unfortunately was based on an incident that happened to a friend of hers, as well as the follow-up on what you should do if the unthinkable happens.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR IDENTITY OR WALLET /PURSE ARE STOLEN


An acquaintance of mine just had her identity stolen. All advice below is current and accurate. Incidents are up this time of year. Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, social security number, credit cards, etc. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand 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:

1). Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "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 won't have access to it.


3). Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. NEVER have your social security number printed on your checks. You can add it by hand 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. Copy 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.


5). We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card/account numbers 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 perhaps what is most important of all (I never even thought to do this):

7). Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name. 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 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 when your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

1). Equifax: 800-525-6285.
2). Experian (Formerly TRW): 888-397-3742
3). Trans Union: 800-680-7289
4). Social Security Adminstration: 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 you care about.

Cross posted at Real Clear Politics here and Grizzly Groundswell here.

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