One of my nieces sent this to me, thought I'd pass it along:

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece) have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and 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. 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 who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you WON'T need at that point!). On a personal note, I remember loosing a MC and until I got the toll free number from information, etc. I was a wreck.

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 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 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). 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 in their tracks. The numbers are: Equifax 1-800 525-6285 Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195 Trans Union 1-800-680-7289 Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes, we pass along just about everything. Do think about passing this information along .... it could really help someone else.

-- Willy Allen (willyallen2@yahoo.com), June 15, 2001

Answers

Thanks for the information. I was unaware of calling the credit reporting companies, but it makes very good sense. I now have this post printed and with my credit card information, just in case.

-- Bob Wick (bjwick@hotmail.com), June 15, 2001.

An added precaution is to pack identifications in a necklace cord stash pouch inside your shirt to avoid a loss situation.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), June 16, 2001.