Your identity is a valuable commodity and it can be very costly and hazardous to your credit when someone takes your identity as their own. Here are some simple tips to keep your identity safe.
Do not sign the back of your credit cards! Instead simply write SEE PHOTO ID or PHOTO ID REQUIRED. The last thing you want is for someone who stole your cards to see exactly how to sign your name.
If you still make payments on credit card balances by mail, do not put the full account number on the check. The last four numbers will make the account clear to the creditor and no one handling the checks as they are processed will have your account number and signature in one place.
Photocopy front and back all credit cards and forms of ID in your wallet. In the event that your wallet is stolen you will have all the contact numbers and account numbers you need to cancel the cards quickly. You would also need to file a police report immediately to prove to creditors that you are diligent and proactive. This will work in your favor if charges are investigated. You would also need to contact the three credit reporting agencies AND the Social Security Administration to place a fraud alert on your name andsocial security number. Keep the numbers for the three agencies on or with the photo copy of your wallet’s contents.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-397-3742, Transunion: 1-800-680-7289, Social Security Fraud Line:1-800-269-0271
One last safety note is to put a PO Box or work address on your checks instead of your home address. This prevents your cards from being used for on-line purchases if your checks are with your credit cards when they are stolen. If the address entered from your checks and the address your cards are billed to do not match that will usually be enough to make the transaction fail.
If the address entered from your checks and the address your cards are billed to do not match that will usually be enough to make the transaction fail.
