Guest Author - Vance Rowe

In lieu of recent events, I felt it was important to get an article about preventing identity theft. Three men were recently arrested for being involved with what is being deemed as the largest identity theft ever to occur in the United States. These men stole over 130 Million credit card numbers. The link to this story is at the bottom of the page. I received these tips from an unamed lawyer in a forwarded email. I hope you will use them and pass this information on.

As technology advances so do the ways that any computer savvy person can steal. Identity Theft is on the rise and has serious repercussions. Here are some tips that will help protect you.

On the backs of your credit cards, debit cards, etc… is a place where you are supposed to sign your name. Instead of your signature, put “CHECK PHOTO ID” or you can simply put “CHECK ID” as my girlfriend already does. It works too. I tried to use a debit card of hers for some groceries and the cashier at the sore wouldn’t allow it because she was not there and I didn’t have any of her picture id’s.

In Massachusetts, you can have your social security number as your driver’s license number. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! It is too easy to be used against you.

Instead of writing your home phone number on your checks, write your work number on them. If you have a Post Office box, use that instead of your home address. No P.O. Box? No problem. Use the address of your job.

Photocopy the contents of your wallet. That way you will have a record of all your account numbers and the phone numbers to report them stolen. Photocopy the fronts and backs of everything including your driver’s license and Social Security card and other important things in there. Also it may be a good idea to photocopy your passport and carry that with you as well, especially when traveling abroad.

If your wallet is lost or stolen, cancel the credit cards immediately. If you know your wallet was stolen, file a police report immediately and you will have that to give to credit card companies and banks to show your assiduousness in rectifying the problem.

Probably the most important thing to remember is to call the “Big Three” credit agencies and the Social Security Fraud Hotline if your wallet is stolen or you feel your identity is or may be compromised. Their phone numbers are listed below.

If your identity is stolen it will be a long, costly, arduous task to restore it and can ruin your good name and your good credit. You have to take steps to protecting yourself. No one else will do it for you.

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