Physical Security-Non Computer
I recieved this by E-mail, cleaned it up a little, and would like to pass it on.
Actual Free advice from an attorney.
Quote:
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the
employees in his company:
The next time you order checks have only your initials
(instead of your first name) and last name put on to them.
If someone takes your check book 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.
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.
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone.
If you have a P.O. Box use that instead of your home 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.
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, etc.
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 (Department of Motor Vehicles) 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:
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 numbers where you can find them easily.
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it
was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent,
and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important:
(I never even thought to do this).
Call the three 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.
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 in their tracks.
The national credit reporting organizations numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration
(Fraud Line): 1-800-269-0271
