Helpful Tips
1. The next time you 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 checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "Photo ID Required".
3. 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.
4. 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. You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. 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. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when travelling either here or abroad.
6. 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. Keep those where you can find them.
Here are the numbers you need to contact if your wallet is stolen/lost:
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
- Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Car History, VIN Search, Auto History www.carfax.com
Crash Testing & Highway Safety Results www.hwysafety.org
New & Used Car Buying Guide www.edmunds.com
Kelly Blue Book - New & Used Cars www.kellybluebook.com
Maine Auto Evidence of Insurance http://bmv.informe.org/bmv_ivf
NADA Guides New & Used Car Values www.nadaguides.com
New Hampshire Easy Pass www.EZPassNH.com
HOME
Free Home Improvement Contractor Matching Service www.improvenet.com
Marshall & Swift/Home Cost Estimator www.msbinfo.com
Real Estate listings & Homes for Sale www.realtor.com
National Flood Insurance http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/index.jsp
7. 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).
8. Call the 3 national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security 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.
