August 19, 2001

Public Service Announcement.-

WHAT IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET?

We've all heard horror stories about fraud thats committed using your name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (the author of this piece who happens to be an attorney) have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and 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, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your 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 easily find them. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important (I never ever thought to do this). Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. 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 intetnet 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 2 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. However, since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. Last weekend someone turned it in. It seems to have stopped them in their banks.

The numbers are:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): I M8-397-3742 Trans Union: 1-800-6%7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Morris Bowers 256-771-1090
Sumitted by Ruby Carter-