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Some great practical advice on personal credit security

By Andrew Pollack on 07/29/2004 at 01:34 PM EDT

This was forwarded to me by a friend. It is a list that originally (supposedly) came from an attorney who's credit was stolen. I can't verify the source, but the advice is good.

  1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them.
  2. 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.
  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 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.
  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.
  6. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. [The Author] also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.

There are  - loading -  comments....

Having has my own identity stolen last year...By Christopher Byrne on 08/02/2004 at 04:31 PM EDT
I can say this is an excellent list and that YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO VIGILANT!


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