| Identity Theft - the 10 Best Tips You Can Use | | | | place. It's also a good idea to carry a photocopy |
| Right Now!We've all heard horror stories about | | | | of your passport when traveling abroad.6. For |
| fraud that's committed by someone stealing a | | | | couples or friends traveling together - each of |
| name, address, Social Security number or credit | | | | you should carry a different, unique credit card. |
| card. Here are 10 suggestions you can take to | | | | For example, one of you could carry a Visa card |
| help protect yourself.1. The next time you order | | | | and one of you a Discover card. Don't both carry |
| checks, have only your initials (instead of your | | | | the same credit card! That way if one of you has |
| first name) and last name put on them. If | | | | their credit card stolen, you still have a valid credit |
| someone takes your checkbook, they won't | | | | card to use and aren't completely without funds |
| know if you sign your checks with just your | | | | while you are traveling.7. Another tip for couples |
| initials or your first name, but your bank will know | | | | or friends traveling together - each of you should |
| how you sign your checks.2. When you are | | | | carry the other person's photo copies of their |
| writing checks to pay your credit card accounts, | | | | credit cards and passport. If someone steals your |
| DO NOT put the complete account number on | | | | wallet or purse, your traveling companion still has |
| the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four | | | | copies of all your information.8. When you're |
| numbers. The credit card company knows the | | | | reading email, don't click on any of the links listed |
| rest of the number, and anyone who might be | | | | in the email message. No matter how tempting |
| handling your check as it passes through all the | | | | the offer is! This is a way 'phishers' use to direct |
| check processing channels won't have access to | | | | you to their website and capture your credit card |
| it.3. Put your work phone number on your checks | | | | and personal information.9. We are told to cancel |
| instead of your home phone. If you have a PO | | | | our credit cards immediately. But the key is |
| Box, use that instead of your home address. If | | | | having the toll free numbers and your card |
| you don't have a PO Box, use your work | | | | numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep |
| address.4. Never have your Social Security | | | | these numbers where you can find them |
| number or driver's license number printed on your | | | | separate from your credit cards.10. File a police |
| checks. You can add it if it is necessary. But if | | | | report immediately in the city where your credit |
| you have it printed, anyone can get it.5. Place the | | | | cards, purse or wallet were stolen. This proves to |
| contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. | | | | credit providers you were diligent, and this is a |
| Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. | | | | first step toward an investigation.Brought to you |
| You will know what you had in your wallet and all | | | | by developed to help the 'little guy' have access |
| of the account numbers and phone numbers to | | | | to legal services previously reserved for the |
| call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe | | | | wealthy! |