[Vision2020] Fwd: identity theft

[Kai Eiselein, editor]

Fwd: identity theftThanks for the info Tom. It was timely for me, someone
has obtained my SS# and other personal information and has started wreaking
havoc with my credit file.
I called one of the credit reporting agencies and placed a fraud alert. They
told me they automatically forward the information to the other reporting
agencies.
All I can say is. "This sucks"

Guard your information closely everyone, I wouldn't wish this on anyone but
my ex-wife.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On Behalf Of Tom Trail
  Sent: Monday, September 04, 2006 3:39 PM
  To: vision2020 at moscow.com
  Subject: [Vision2020] Fwd: identity theft


    Visionaries:   This e mail regarding identity theft came to me via an


  attorney.  There is some excellent advice in the message.


  Tom Trail




    ATTORNEY'S ADVICE - NO CHARGE


         Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer
to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate
Attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.

              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 # 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 it is necessary. But if you have It
printed, anyone can get it.

                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. 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 on us in stealing a Name, address, Social
Security number, credit cards.

         Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my
Wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(S) 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:

                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. 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 what 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. 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 about
your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

               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

       If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really
help someone that you care about.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




--
Dr. Tom Trail
  International Trails
  1375 Mt. View Rd.
  Moscow, Id. 83843
  Tel:  (208) 882-6077
  Fax:  (208) 882-0896
  e mail ttrail at moscow.com


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