How To Avoid Impersonation of Your Identity

[corporatefactors.net]

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice.

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead
of 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 # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not
have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SIN# printed on your
checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is 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, SIN, credit cards. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month.

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:

1. 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.

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

But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even
thought to do this.)

3. Call the two national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Insurance 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.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two 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 weekend someone turned it in. It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.


Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your
wallet, etc. if it has been stolen:


1.) Equifax Canada: 1-877-249-2705
2.) TransUnion: 1-877-525-3823