The_Sonarman
12-20-2005, 04:11 PM
Six Simple Steps to Begin Protecting Yourself
1. Never put your street address, phone number, Social Security number (SSN) or driver's license number on your checks. Don't let clerks at stores write this information on your checks either.
2. Don't carry a wallet or purse with identifying documents in it, especially any document that contains your home address or SSN. Instead, carry your driver's license and credit cards in a money belt. It's never a good idea to carry any document with you that contains your SSN.
3. Protect your SSN. This is the single most sought after number by identity thieves and attorneys seeking to determine if you have sufficient assets to make suing you worthwhile. Only disclose it when applying for credit or opening a bank account. In some states, you must disclose it to obtain a driver's license - but you have the right to insist that the number itself not appear on the license.
4. When creating passwords, and personal identification numbers for bank or brokerage accounts, never use the last four digits of your SSN, date of birth or other easily guessed number. Don't write down passwords or PINs unless you do so in a code.
5. Avoid depositing or withdrawing more than $10,000 in cash from a U.S. bank account. Doing so will subject you to a barrage of questions as to your motives' for using cash. All U.S. banks are also required to submit a form to the federal government reporting cash transactions over $10,000. If you must make a large cash deposit or withdrawal, casually mention to the teller that it's OK to file whatever 'paperwork' might be necessary. The bank will still have to file the form to the government, but if you are viewed as being 'cooperative,' the transaction is much less likely to lead to a report of a 'suspicious transaction,' the freezing of your account or your arrest for money laundering.
6. If your wallet is stolen, take immediate action to prevent identity theft. Cancel any credit cards that it contained and call the 'big three' credit bureaus and ask that your account be 'flagged' for possible fraudulent access: (1) Equifax: (800) 525-6285; (2) Experian: (888) 397-3742; (3) TransUnion: (800) 680-7289.
1. Never put your street address, phone number, Social Security number (SSN) or driver's license number on your checks. Don't let clerks at stores write this information on your checks either.
2. Don't carry a wallet or purse with identifying documents in it, especially any document that contains your home address or SSN. Instead, carry your driver's license and credit cards in a money belt. It's never a good idea to carry any document with you that contains your SSN.
3. Protect your SSN. This is the single most sought after number by identity thieves and attorneys seeking to determine if you have sufficient assets to make suing you worthwhile. Only disclose it when applying for credit or opening a bank account. In some states, you must disclose it to obtain a driver's license - but you have the right to insist that the number itself not appear on the license.
4. When creating passwords, and personal identification numbers for bank or brokerage accounts, never use the last four digits of your SSN, date of birth or other easily guessed number. Don't write down passwords or PINs unless you do so in a code.
5. Avoid depositing or withdrawing more than $10,000 in cash from a U.S. bank account. Doing so will subject you to a barrage of questions as to your motives' for using cash. All U.S. banks are also required to submit a form to the federal government reporting cash transactions over $10,000. If you must make a large cash deposit or withdrawal, casually mention to the teller that it's OK to file whatever 'paperwork' might be necessary. The bank will still have to file the form to the government, but if you are viewed as being 'cooperative,' the transaction is much less likely to lead to a report of a 'suspicious transaction,' the freezing of your account or your arrest for money laundering.
6. If your wallet is stolen, take immediate action to prevent identity theft. Cancel any credit cards that it contained and call the 'big three' credit bureaus and ask that your account be 'flagged' for possible fraudulent access: (1) Equifax: (800) 525-6285; (2) Experian: (888) 397-3742; (3) TransUnion: (800) 680-7289.