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 (Social Insurance Number)
printed on your checks. 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 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. has been stolen:
1.) Equifax Canada: 1-877-249-2705
2.) TransUnion: 1-877-525-3823