>From: "Pearl Fernane" <pearlyshellz@...>
>Reply-To: "Pearl Fernane" <pearlyshellz@ cox.net>
>To: "Joy Morris" <joymomgram@...>
>Subject: Fw: Good Advice - Re: Fraud
>Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 12:23:06 -0800
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Garcia-Buckman, Gail
>To: Gabe Andrade (E-mail) ; Irene Mamuyac (E-mail) ; John Lonberg (E-mail)
>; Albritton, Neal E. ; Carol Garcia ; Carter, Doris ; Craven, Shirley ;
>Mary Ann Dumford ; Melinda Jacobs ; Nielsen, Lana ; Pearl Fernane ;
>Richards, Rose ; Robbins, Terri ; Sanderford, Sandra ; Sandy Waters ;
>Smerdon, Kathy ; Stephanie Schiechl ; Steve Amezcua ; The Fernane Family ;
>Whitecotton, Darlene ; Whiteside, Brenda
>Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 11:36 AM
>Subject: FW: Good Advice - Re: Fraud
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mslana29@... [mailto:Mslana29@...]
>Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 1:39 AM
>To: angeliar@...; fcooper@...; Garcia-Buckman,
>Gail; IBDS69@...; jenjefferies@...; Yamamoto, Marcia;
>pmp1200@...; r.lockhart@...; ronnicho@...;
>Sanderford, Sandra; Smerdon, Kathy; Robbins, Terri; YoungJO@...;
>npdctd2003@...; Pday@...; jason.painter@...;
>jdeere92@...; msparks@...; shellyn9@...;
>mrandolph@...; Craven, Shirley; Riel, Jeff; Matheny, Jeanette;
>Brown, Harry
>Subject: Good Advice - Re: Fraud
>
>
>I know for those of you who at work reading this, it may not be relevant to
>what we do, but it could be helpful. - Lana
>
>Thought this was worth passing on for those who have ever lost or gotten
>your wallet or purse stolen.
>Subject: An Attorney's Advice
>
>Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer
>to it some day. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
>
>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 first
>name) and last name put on 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 PO 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 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 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 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
>
>We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything.
>Pass this information along. It could really help someone you care about

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