(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 check book, 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 numbers, 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 P.O. Box, use
that instead of your home address.  If you do not
have a P.O. Box, use your work address.  Never
have your SS# 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 a ll 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 traveling 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, or credit cards.

(6.)  Unfortunately I have had
firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen
last month.  Within a week, the thieves ordered
 an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied
for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to
buy a Gateway computer
from DMV to change my driving record information
online [never heard of; that!], and more.
But, here's some critical information to limit the
damage in case this happens to you or someone you
know:

 (a). We have always 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 quickly.

  (b).  File a police report immediately in the
  jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were
  stolen.  This proves to your 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.)

  (c). Call the 3 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.
  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 when your
  wallet, etc., has been stolen:

(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): 1-877-438-4338