Subject: AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it

>someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
 A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
company.

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 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. If you do not have
a PO Box, use your work 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.

4. 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.

If your wallet gets lost or stolen, I suggest the following:

1. 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.

2. 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).

3.. 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.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experience (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271