Great Info Tips

I thought I would pass along some information sent to me about credit fraud. First of all, never ever sign the back of your credit card. Put these words on it instead: PHOTO ID REQUIRED. This will prevent thieves from using your credit cards if your wallet is stolen. When you write out checks to pay your credit card accounts only put the last 4 digits on the FOR line. This will prevent thieves from gaining your credit card number and running up the credit on your account. Put your work phone number on the checks instead of your home phone number. NEVER PUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON YOUR CHECKS!!!! You don’t want anyone to get this information.

Take any credit cards and licenses out of your wallet and photocopy them so you have the information you need if your wallet is stolen. Also copy on this paper(s) any phone numbers you will need to call the companies you have credit cards with should your wallet be stolen. Keep this information in a safe place at home. There is too much fraud going on and you really don’t want to be a victim.

If your wallet is stolen IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO THE POLICE! Don’t delay. Also contact the credit card companies to have the accounts canceled immediately. And most importantly of all, CALL ALL 3 NATIONAL CREDIT REPORTING ORGANIZATIONS.

These are important phone numbers to keep handy: ( 1) Equifax 1-800-525-6285; (2) Experian 1-888-397-3742; (3) Trans Union 1-800-680-7289; ( 4) Social Security Administration fraud line 1-800-269-0271

Take the time to alert family and friends about this information. It will be valuable should fraud happen to you. I hope you will never need to use this information, but you have now been forewarned.