Perhaps there is something in this for all of us!!

[Masonic Phantom]

:shock:1. Next time you order cheques, have only your initials (instead of
your first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your chequebook,
they will not know if you sign your cheques with just your initials or your
first name, but your bank will know how you sign your cheques.


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


3. When you are writing cheques 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 cheque as it passes through all the
cheque processing channels won't have access to it.


4. Put your work phone number on your cheques 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 Centrelink Number
printed on your cheques. 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 licence, 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 travelling 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, credit cards.


Unfortunately I, an attorney, have first-hand knowledge because my
wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive
monthly mobile phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit
line approved to buy a Dell computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change
my driving record information on-line, 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).


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


Call the three national credit reporting organisations 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 authorise 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 handed it in. It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.


Now, here are some numbers which you might need to contact if your
wallet etc has been stolen:
1. Visa Card Australia 1800 621 199
2. Visa Card International 1800 450 346
3. Lost Travellers' Cheques 1800 127 477
4. MasterCard Australia (02) 9466 3700
5. MasterCard International 1800 120 113
6. Bankcard Australia (02) 9281 6633
7. Medicare 132 011
8. Centrelink Fraud 137 230
9. Seniors Card 1300 364 758
10. Passport 131 232


ANZ FREECALL 1800 033 844
BankWest 131 718
Citibank 132 484
Tamworth Coles/Myer Source 2340 1300 306 397
Commonwealth 132 221
CUSCAL- MyCard 1300 135 538
GE Capital 1300 369 904
Members Equity 1300 654 998
National 132 265
St George 1800 028 208
SydneyVirgin 2000 1800 080 000
Westpac 1800 230 144
Woolworths Ezy Banking 137 288


We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about
everything, but if you are willing to pass this information along, it could
really help someone.

 

[zig]

Thanks for posting. Some useful tips there, some I already use, some I hadn't thought of before. Your post did prompt me to go and photocopy my wallet contents. I had previously done it, but have had quite a few changes in cards etc recently, so it was a timely reminder.

 

[notzac]

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

Note that this is a bad idea: Is There a Point of Writing ‘CHECK ID’ on the Back of your Credit Card? | Credit Card Finder

 

[medhead]

Some good tips.

One of my bosses did the check ID thing. He reckons he got asked for ID once in about 6 months. Also, I've encountered some sales staff that would then expect you to write "Photo ID required" on the docket.

I also like the way someone has tried to Australia-ise it by replacing Social security number with Centerlink number. But seriously, not many of us have a centerlink number and it would be of very little practical use, unlike a social security number in the US. And who would print a centerlink number on a cheque?

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


4. Put your work phone number on your cheques 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 Centrelink Number printed on your cheques. You can add it if it is necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

 

[moa999]

Clearly a repost of something from the US with some Australianised content.

Use of the word DMV.
Replacement of Social Security Number (which everyone has) with CentreLink number (a Tax File Number would be more appropriate) but you would never even think of putting on a cheque

US cheque rules are quite different to Australia (eg endorsing), and far more common.

 

[Dee Thom]

:shock: Call the three national credit reporting organisations immediately to
place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

Whom may these three be, and do you have contact numbers for them ?

Cheers Dee

 

[sampson]

Lots of good ideas there. Thanks Masonic Phantom.

 

[dajop]

I also like the way someone has tried to Australia-ise it by replacing Social security number with Centerlink number. But seriously, not many of us have a centerlink number and it would be of very little practical use, unlike a social security number in the US. And who would print a centerlink number on a cheque?

And phone numbers/addresses I can't recall a single instance of me recording a phone number or address on a personal cheque (maybe I'm missing something?).

Some good advice here, one other thing I always do is carry a backup credit card when travelling, that is physically separated from my other credit card (s) (and not linked to the same a/c). I usually keep in the hotel room safe (if there is one, or buried in some smelly socks if there isn't), and never put it into my wallet.

 

[samh004]

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

I was going to say, I didn't know you could do this. My signature is pretty bad and it would actually be much more beneficial to me. But I see notzac has already answered that point.

I think I'd much rather a credit card with photo ID built in, do they offer them? I know it doesn't give protection online or over the phone, but I feel it's easier than a signature.

Some good advice here, one other thing I always do is carry a backup credit card when travelling, that is physically separated from my other credit card (s) (and not linked to the same a/c). I usually keep in the hotel room safe (if there is one, or buried in some smelly socks if there isn't), and never put it into my wallet.

That's good advice.

 

[SnowYeti]

And phone numbers/addresses I can't recall a single instance of me recording a phone number or address on a personal cheque (maybe I'm missing something?).

Some good advice here, one other thing I always do is carry a backup credit card when travelling, that is physically separated from my other credit card (s) (and not linked to the same a/c). I usually keep in the hotel room safe (if there is one, or buried in some smelly socks if there isn't), and never put it into my wallet.

I have a Canadian check book and I have my home address and cell number listed on it. It's just how they do it in Canada, you can of course choose to omit the address or phone number.

My AUS cheque book has my full name, not initials. It also does NOT have my address or phone number!

When travelling, I leave a credit card and debit card in my suitcase. Both these are low value, e.g. $2k AUD limit and $1K cash in the debit.

If I ever lost my wallet, at least I would have some emergency form of cash to get me in touch to get out of trouble!

Photocopies of passports, cards etc are hidden. Usually in clothes too. Folded up in pants pocket works well.

 

[Dave Noble]

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

and then wait for a diligent person to refuse the card.

The credit companies all have rules that require the card to be signed and merchants are supposed to not take cards without the signature

The original is just a latest spam going around

The only modicum of relevence in there for Australia is that for those that have credit cards and cannot remember their numbers, to keep a record of them

 

[straitman]

I see a few small pieces of useful info in this thread but it really does remind me that we are currently traveling in the Land Of the Free and Paranoid:!:

 

[Flashback]

I was going to say, I didn't know you could do this. My signature is pretty bad and it would actually be much more beneficial to me. But I see notzac has already answered that point.

I think I'd much rather a credit card with photo ID built in, do they offer them? I know it doesn't give protection online or over the phone, but I feel it's easier than a signature.



That's good advice.

Citibank used to offer cards with photo ID on them.

 

[Dave Noble]

I was going to say, I didn't know you could do this. My signature is pretty bad and it would actually be much more beneficial to me. But I see notzac has already answered that point.

They provide no more protection; it would seem that it should do but fraud statistics have found that it makes no benefit

Dave

 

[auriga]

Some good tips there, but some just over the top!