AN ATTORNEY’S ADVICE

1. The next time your order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them.  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 check.
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.
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.
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.
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.
6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers your were diligent, and is a first step toward and investigation.
7. But here’s what is perhaps most important: Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number!!!!  The numbers are:
    

                      Equifax:  1-800-525-6285
                      Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
                      Trans Union:  1-800-680-0271
                      Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271