A friend of mine sent me this great article on protecting yourself from theft. 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. 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 P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not >>have a P.O. 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.>>>>>>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, >>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:>>>>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 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.>>>>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: 1-800-525-6285>>2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742>>3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289>>4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271>>>>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.
Hey Mike, Great post! You're right...this is no joking matter! I was reading it on our Library's Puter and it was a good read. Unfortunately before starting I placed my wallet on the desk. I fell asleep halfway thru the read and when I was rudely awakened by the Liberian (she is a furriner, you know) at closing time.....my wallet was gone! As you are primarily responsible for it's loss, my people will be getting in contact w/your people! Scammed in nearby Scunthorpe, Skinned ed
Advice on a Safe Wallet ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- ALMOST NO CHARGE A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company and had the value of his time deducted from their next paychecks: The next time you order checks have only your initials put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know what to sign your name as, but your bank will know how you sign your checks and they have a handwriting expert meticulously compare each and every check processed with your signature on file. Also, checks with nothing more than initials on them look "monogrammed" and are kind of classy. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, write "THIS CARD IS STOLEN." If a merchant questions you about this, tell them that's for if a thief uses the card, not you. When you are writing a check to pay your credit card bill, DO NOT put you account number on the "Memo" line. Instead, just put your Social Security number. The credit card company can look up your personal information using your SSN, just like anyone else can. Put the number of a pay phone on your checks instead of your home phone number, and use the address of a local pharmacy or other business instead of your real address. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy everything, including your driver's license, credit cards, and money. If you are robbed, give the thief this copy instead of your actual wallet. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys, destroy the "key" as soon as they give it to you. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates, and by the end of your stay may also include selected videos taken with the secret camera hidden in your room! Believe me, you don't want criminals to have this stuff. By destroying the card immediately, you avoid the possibility that you might lose it and have it fall into the wrong hands. If you need to get into your room for some reason, just ask housekeeping to let you in (telling the front desk that it's okay to let people into your room will streamline this process). Whenever you meet someone that you don't know, don't use your real name. This thwarts the efforts of "human engineering" hackers and would-be stalkers. By the same token, if you are working with sensitive or personal information, never take instructions from your supervisor over the phone, but insist on face-to-face contact, even if you telecommute, and be sure that when you do meet you check to make sure it's really your supervisor and not a criminal with one of those Mission Impossible masks. Never leave your DNA lying around where a criminal can get to it. Take your hair with you after a haircut, wear gloves, don't lick envelopes, etc. Using cloning technology for complete body duplication is a growing field of crime, and remember that your clone will have all of your memories, including your PIN numbers. And a clone technically has a legal right to all of your stuff. Also, because in the eyes of the law your clone has all of your rights and obligations, as soon as you are cloned your spouse is automatically a bigamist! Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen right off my nightstand last month. Within a week, the thief ordered an expensive stereo system, a big-screen TV, a closet full of black clothes, a bunch of horror-movie DVDs and Goth-band CDs, and a gift certificate for a tattoo. I never would have noticed until it was too late if the thief hadn't messed up and had all of these items shipped to my teenage daughter. I asked my daughter about this, and she agreed that there was no way to explain what had happened. She also told me that because the items were bought with a stolen card we couldn't return them because that would leave a paper trail and we could be arrested for receiving stolen goods. I didn't know this. Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know: Cancel your credit cards immediately. That way if they're stolen they won't do the thief any good. Call the police and warn them that you carry important personal information in your wallet. Ask if you can get a license to carry a concealed weapon. If your wallet or other personal papers are stolen, get the thief's name, phone number, and Social Security number. This will make them easier to track down. Also, keep the phone numbers of these people close at hand in case your wallet and its contents are stolen: Your bank Your mom The Suicide Prevention Hotline We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything, even viruses, chain letters, and garbage that was old when dinosaurs walked the earth. Nevertheless, if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone who doesn't get much e-mail but would like to. http://www.all-lies.com/legends/crime/safewallet.shtml
After reading and absorbing all this excellent advice, I have, from this moment on, become a Non-Person......You will no longer know or recognise me as me.....I have completely destroyed and incinerated my Wallet and all it's contents because I realise now what a dangerous piece of equipment it can be.......If anyone needs advice from me as to how I have protected myself from Cloners, Fraudsters, Crooks and Gangsters, I'am living in a cardboard box on the traffic island at Junction seven on the M180.....this information as to my whereabouts may or may not be true....one cannot be too careful as to what personal information one gives out you understand.....if you do manage to track me down...Please bring food with you........Oh! and money.... Cochise, Acchhhh! A Friend...
Please turn on your cell phone..I need to foreward a telemarketing call and Google needs to know your locations so they can customize your search. http://oraclewatch.eweek.com/blogs/google_watch/archive/2006/04/07/8916.aspx
Thank you Chise, Primmy, and Mike for the heads up w/those timely informative posts. I am now........ZZZZzzzzzzz!! Where am I?.....Who am I?....Where's my clothes? Alert in Albequerque, 42 Skidoo ed
LOL, Primrose...Thanks...I swear that 90% of everything on the net is rubbish. If I did not come to Wilders I would throw my PC in the trash.
It's nice to know we are helping you get through your day Mike..........this is where the missing 10% of rubbish lives......... And, just so you don't feel toooo bad, we threw our Computers in the trash long ago...........most of the Cyber-damage we do here is on other unsuspecting peoples gear..... We try to ensure that nothing is traceable...... Cochise,
ROFL!! Oh great! I just got chicken noodle soup all over ma screen! Mike, don't feel bad, be GLAD ya got Primmy, 'Chise, and Fast Eddie on the 'lookout'! Soooo, does this mean we at 10-F can start a 10 %'ers' club, or have I got that confused with the 10th precinct (Do purses count? I have so many questions about this, but, I think my lunch hour's up, gotta go, not sure tho- someone stole my watch..)
Hey Margee....long time no see!! We already have a 10 F**ts Club goin on in Beckies B'day thread. Jest trun yore purse into the ring an watch out you don't cause any sparks. Cud be disasterous w/all dem fumes. Be wary of Chise!! Iffen he starts to lift his left leg.......RUN!! All other questions are being taken under advisement so be on the lookout! Protecting my creditable advise, Advisable ed
I got this here beer money and all it cost me was a cow, some beans and a funny little lamp I was going to polish later ....... http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/andysnaps/beermoney.jpg Didn't I do well ? eyes-open was last seen with a picnic basket, running towards grandmas house in the woods, singing "come and get it if you really want it" .........
Well young e-o, Yoo showed us the front and back of Bill butt you fergot the top! Udderwise...it's to yur credit....yoo dun gud! A little off the top please, Hairy ed
Well...yoo musta slipped offen yore perch. Seeing the suppository slipped slightly south, somethins screwy! Sequestered somewhere in San Salinas, Somehow ed
