Things You Need To Know

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY!

In this electronic age that seems to be beyond comprehension, here is some timely information prepared by an attorney about credit theft that we all need to know:

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'

2. When you are writing checks to pay 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 absolutely necessary. But if it is on your checks, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine or scan/copy with your printer. 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. An ounce of prevention...!
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 by 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 is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. 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).

6. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the best solution is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy and know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

And here 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.

This alerts any company that checks your credit that 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....

Here are the numbers you will always need to contact if your wallet or purse 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

If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about. For future reference you might want to open and bookmark this page.

Now is the time to help us locate any "lost" Knights for our mailing list.
As the time comes closer for our 50th reunion at the Crowne Plaza, Please visit the Lost Knights page on the '60's NWC Website to see if you have information about any of our classmates who are on our "missing" list. Scroll up to submit ANY information that might be helpful. This is an ongoing Quest! - The Scribes and Keepers of the Royal DataBase thank you!

The website and especially this Newsletter should be filled with your latest news, events, and suggestions.
I need input from you to keep current! Send any comments, information, news, or events to: jcheves@ix.netcom.com, or please visit my online website.