TomPoo
06-19-2001, 10:23 AM
This was sent to me, over e-mail. This is some useful information that many of you might be able to use:
STOLEN - GOOD INFO TO HAVE
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿWHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET:
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your
name,address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece)
have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied
for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record
information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this
happens to you or someone you know.
As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the
key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know
who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for
them is additional stress you WON'T need at that point!). On a personal note, I
remember loosing a MC and until I got the toll free number from information,
etc. I was a wreck.
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 ever thought to do
this.
Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to
place
a fraud alert on your name and SS#. 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.
By the time I was advised to do this - almost 2 weeks after the theft all
the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks
initiated
by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the
alert). Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves
threw my wallet away this week-end (someone turned it in). It seems to
have
stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are:
Equifax 1-800 525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271
Reeking of Awesomeness
----TomPoo
STOLEN - GOOD INFO TO HAVE
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿWHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET:
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your
name,address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece)
have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied
for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record
information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this
happens to you or someone you know.
As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the
key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know
who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for
them is additional stress you WON'T need at that point!). On a personal note, I
remember loosing a MC and until I got the toll free number from information,
etc. I was a wreck.
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 ever thought to do
this.
Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to
place
a fraud alert on your name and SS#. 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.
By the time I was advised to do this - almost 2 weeks after the theft all
the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks
initiated
by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the
alert). Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves
threw my wallet away this week-end (someone turned it in). It seems to
have
stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are:
Equifax 1-800 525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271
Reeking of Awesomeness
----TomPoo