ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE

老杨 · 发表于 2008-1-28 10:38

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. 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 SIN# printed on your checks. (DUH!) 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. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when travel either here or abroad.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, SIN, 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.)

3. Call the two national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Insurance 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 Canada: 1-877-249-2705
2.) Trans Union: 1-877-525-3823

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

三思 · 发表于 2008-1-28 10:57

Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED"., b( ]' w7 G6
---good idea! will do so!

yuehu · 发表于 2008-1-28 15:11

billzhao · 发表于 2008-1-28 20:36

One day I watched TV and I was surprised that crimes related to credit card was so huge. People can easily steal your identy and spend your money. But that being said and known, I guess most of us would still use it for our everday life.

Jevons · 发表于 2008-2-1 10:12

How to report Identity Theft
If you think that you have been a victim, do you know how to report identity theft? There are a number of steps you should take immediately to minimize damage, help prevent further fraud or theft and clean your good name. Keep in mind that it will take hundreds of dollars and many hours to fix the mess.

Step One
Contact each financial institution, credit card issuer or other company that provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, money, goods or services. This is onw of the most important steps on how to report identity theft!

Write to the creditor at the address given for "billing inquiries," NOT the address for sending your payments. Include your name, address, account number, and a description of the billing error, including the amount and date of the error. See Sample Letter.

Send your letter so that it reaches the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you. If an identity thief changed the address on your account and you didn't receive the bill, your dispute letter still must reach the creditor within 60 days of when the creditor would have mailed the bill. This is one reason it's essential to keep track of your billing statements, and follow up quickly if your bills don't arrive on time.

Send your letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt. It becomes your proof of the date the creditor received the letter. Include copies (NOT originals) of your police report or other documents that support your position. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.

Step Two
An important step on how to report identity theft is to contact the credit reporting agencies. Request to place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit file to stop the thieve to open more accounts in your name. Be aware that you need to renew this alert on a regular basis as it expires. The time varies from 3 to 12 months with the 3 credit bureaus.

Credit Bureaus Equifax Experian: Trans Union
In
Canada Consumer Relations Department
1 800 465 7166
Box 190
Jean Talon Station
Montreal, QC
H1S 2Z2
Click here to go to the Web site
1-888 826 1718
Suite 805 P.O.
Box 68
Toronto, ON
M5H 1J9
Click here to go to the Web site
1-800-663-9980
Fraud Victim
Assistance Deparment
P.O. Box 338, LCD 1
Hamilton, ON
L8L 7W2
Click here to go to the Web site

In
the US 1-800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Click here to go to the Web site
1-888-397-3742
P.O. Box 2002,
Allen TX 75013
Click here to go to the Web site
1-800-888-4213
P.O. Box 1000,
Chester, PA 19022
Click to go to the
Web site

Step Three
File a report with your local police department. Include it in all correspondence with financial institutions, credit issuers, credit reporting agencies and other companies. You should also bring your supporting documentation. Your supporting documentation should include as much of the following information as you are able to provide:

A government-issued identification document, preferably with a photo;
Proof of residency that shows your name and address such as a copy of your phone or utilities billing statement, your rental agreement.
Copies of your credit reports that show inaccuracies caused by identity theft;
Copies of any credit cards, bills, monthly statements, or collection letters you have received relating to the identity theft; and
Anything else that shows what happened or provides information about the thief.
Report fraudulent activities in Canada:

Reporting Economic Crime Online: www.recol.ca
Phonebusters: 1-888-495-8501, www.phonebusters.com Phonebusters is a national anti-fraud call centre operated by law-enforcement agencies, including the RCMP. PhoneBusters provides advice on how to report identity theft and assistance to victims.
Report fraudulent activities in the USA:

File a complain with the Federal Trade Commission. Visit the ID Theft microsite with detailed information on how to report identity theft
Download the Federal Trade commission affidavit. Included detail instructions. ID Theft Affidavit

Step Four
If your credit cards or government-issued documents (such as driver's licence, birth certificate or passport) have been lost or stolen, notify the issuing authority immediately to have the document cancelled and a new one issued.

海棠 · 发表于 2008-2-1 20:37

Thank you for sharing this article.

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