Free advice from a lawyer

Handy advice from a lawyer who writes from his own experience, a passalong email.

Your checks

When next you order checks, have only the initials of your first name printed. 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

Never have your social security number printed on your check. You can always add it if necessary.

have your social security number printed on your check. You can always add it if necessary. Put your work phone number 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.

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.

Your credit cards

Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED". See update.

Your wallet

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. While you’re at it, make a photocopy of your passport.

Next to each card, write down the toll free number to call if the card is stolen. Don’t forget the number to the Registry of Motor Vehicles

Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Thieves work fast. The key to stopping them –and limiting your damage - is to cancel cards quickly.



If your wallet is stolen

File a police report immediately where it was stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent and it’s the first step toward an investigation if there is one.

Report your cards stolen and cancel them. Believe me, you will be SO glad you made that photocopy

Call the three national credit reporting organizations to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. This prevents thieves from applying for credit cards in your name. Such an 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 need. Keep this with the photocopy of your credit cards.

1. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

2. Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3. Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

4. Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

UPDATE: From two commenters. Seems as if you must sign the card as Visa merchants will not accept the card if not signed.

UPDATE 2: If you haven't seen Zug's hilarious credit card prank, you owe it to yourself to be one of the 30 million who have done so. Only then are you ready to appreciate credit card prank 2 It seems as if no one ever checks the signature. Many thanks to Mike at Info Sec News Blog

