IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION

1. The next time you order checks, have only your initials (instead of the first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, 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. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "Photo ID Required."
3. 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.
4. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a post office box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a post office box, use your work address. Never have your social security number printed on your checks. You can add it if necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. 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, and credit cards.

What To Do If Your Wallet is Stolen

1. Cancel your 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.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc. were stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
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.

Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc. having been stolen.

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
• Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org or www.aaa.com.