A corporate attorney sent the following message to the employees in his company after he was a victim of identity theft.

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 no sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “PHOTO ID REQUIRED”
3. When you are writing checks to pay 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 numbers, 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 our 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 necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will always know what you had in your wallet along with all the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.

If your wallet is stolen:

1. Cancel your credit cards immediately. 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).
3. Call the 3 national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. Many people do not think of this step. 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.

Here are the numbers you need to contact if your wallet, etc., is stolen.

Published by BECDEN Dental Laboratory 131 E. 13065 S. Draper, UT 84020 888-344-9991 toll-free 801-576-9991 phone

The editor of this newsletter is Emily Webb of Becden Dental Laboratory, Inc. Please send any questions or comments about this newsletter, or suggestions for articles to: emilyw@becdendental.com ©2007 BECDEN Dental Laboratory, Inc.