Consumer Safety
- The next time you order checks have only your
initials (instead of your 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.
- 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.
- Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home
phone. If you have a P.O. 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 -- you can add it if it is
necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
- 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.
Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case
this happens to you or someone you know:
- 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.
- File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it
was stolen, this will prove to credit providers you were
diligent.
- Call the three national credit reporting organizations
immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social
Security number. 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. The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
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Address:
301 B Street
Washington, KS 66968
Phone:
785-325-2293
Fax:
785-325-2924
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