"Dog3" > ha scritto nel messaggio
1...
> Okay, I found out late last night someone is usin my social security
> number. Supposedly I own a car in Nebraska that was involved in a car
> accident, a bad one. I have called the local authorities,not much luck
> there. Gawd, I've never been to Nebraska.
>

Ouch. I'm sorry this happened. The below is from an old issue of Cosa Bolle
in Pentola, my (nominally) Italian wine food and travel newsletter:
___
A Public Service Announcement
Moving in a very different direction, this summer a friend of mine
discovered that she was the victim of identity theft when a major retailer's
collection agency called her to ask when she intended to start paying her
bill. It turns out someone got her address and social security number,
perhaps by snooping through her file at work, and armed with these numbers
set up the account at the retailer. Nobody asked to see the person who did
the calling at any step in the procedure -- she gave an address in some
other part of town -- and when I last talked with my friend she said the
criminal was still at large and she was still had financial worries stemming
from the mess.

So I have decided to pass on the following email, even though it has nothing
to do with Italian foods or wines, in the hopes that it will save someone
some grief:

Subject: IDENTITY PROTECTION
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
I pass it along, for your information.

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.

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 SS# printed on your checks -- you can
add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

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
I travel 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, etc.
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:

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 easily.

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 even thought to do
this) Call the three 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 in their tracks.

The numbers a
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

___

Kyle
http://www.cosablle.com

"Kyle Phillips" >

> The numbers a
> Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
> Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

GOOD JOB!!! I wanted to post this information but I didn't know
where to look for it. Thanks for your post, great information.

nancy

"Kyle Phillips" > wrote:

>
>"Dog3" > ha scritto nel messaggio
21...
>> Okay, I found out late last night someone is usin my social security
>> number. Supposedly I own a car in Nebraska that was involved in a car
>> accident, a bad one. I have called the local authorities,not much luck
>> there. Gawd, I've never been to Nebraska.
>>
>
>Ouch. I'm sorry this happened. The below is from an old issue of Cosa Bolle
>in Pentola, my (nominally) Italian wine food and travel newsletter:
>___
>A Public Service Announcement
>Moving in a very different direction, this summer a friend of mine
>discovered that she was the victim of identity theft when a major retailer's
>collection agency called her to ask when she intended to start paying her
>bill. It turns out someone got her address and social security number,
>perhaps by snooping through her file at work, and armed with these numbers
>set up the account at the retailer. Nobody asked to see the person who did
>the calling at any step in the procedure -- she gave an address in some
>other part of town -- and when I last talked with my friend she said the
>criminal was still at large and she was still had financial worries stemming
>from the mess.
>
>So I have decided to pass on the following email, even though it has nothing
>to do with Italian foods or wines, in the hopes that it will save someone
>some grief:
>
>Subject: IDENTITY PROTECTION
>A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
>I pass it along, for your information.
>
>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.
>
>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 SS# printed on your checks -- you can
>add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
>
>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
>I travel 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, etc.
>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:
>
>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 easily.
>
>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 even thought to do
>this) Call the three 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 in their tracks.
>
>The numbers a
>Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
>Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
>Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
>Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
>
>___
>
>Kyle
>http://www.cosablle.com
>

Kyle, thank you so much for all the information. I just printed it
out to put with my important papers.


--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral, 48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

"Kyle Phillips" wrote >

> "Dog3" wrote>> Okay, I found out late last night someone is usin my social
> security
>> number. Supposedly I own a car in Nebraska that was involved in a car
>> accident, a bad one. I have called the local authorities,not much luck
>> there. Gawd, I've never been to Nebraska.
>>
>
> Ouch. I'm sorry this happened. The below is from an old issue of Cosa
> Bolle
> in Pentola, my (nominally) Italian wine food and travel newsletter:

(great information clipped and saved)

> Kyle
> http://www.cosablle.com

When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge slip, I
often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they match?"
I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it sometime.

Dora

> When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge slip,
> I
> often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they match?"
> I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it sometime.

Once I was buying something and I hadn't signed my card. The cashier
pointed that out and insisted I sign it. (sigh) She then checked my
signature
against the charge slip and yup, the signatures matched. I wanted to pluck
her in the head, maybe jump start her brain cells. (laugh)

One time, I was in a yarn shop, I was paying for my stuff, the cashier
whipped out that booklet they have, card numbers that are invalid for
whatever reason ... she went pale. Started looking around for her
cohorts in the store for backup, I guess. Finally she spit it out ...
the number's not in here! Hell, it better not be!!! I guess she was
out the day they explained the concept behind the booklet.

nancy

In article >,
"limey" > wrote:

> When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge slip, I
> often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they match?"
> I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it sometime.

I've seen them check the signatures in many places, but the thought that
keeps occurring to me is, do they even know what they're looking for? My
signature on my card was done more carefully than the rush-job I do on
receipts in the store, but no one's ever said anything. And would the
cashier have the nerve to say something if they thought it didn't match?


Here's one for the idiot file:
A friend of mine used to own a hardware store. I was there one day,
chatting with him, when a woman in her mid-thirties came in, wearing a
cap with the logo of a local county police department.

She paid for her purchase with a credit card. My friend checked the
signatures, and said to her, "the credit card doesn't have a signature
on it. I'll have to see some ID."

With a little triumphant smile, the woman said, "See? That's a police
trick. Don't sign your credit cards. If someone steals 'em, they'll have
to show ID before they can use 'em."

Me: "Well, no. They'll just sign the back of the credit cards. That way,
the signatures will match and they won't be caught."

She: "They can't do that!"

Me: "Of course they can. They have your credit card in their hands. They
can do whatever they want to it."

The look on her face was comical.

--
to respond (OT only), change "spamless.invalid" to "optonline.net"

<http://www.thecoffeefaq.com/>

In article >, says...
>
> "Kyle Phillips" wrote >
>
> > "Dog3" wrote>> Okay, I found out late last night someone is usin my social
> > security
> >> number. Supposedly I own a car in Nebraska that was involved in a car
> >> accident, a bad one. I have called the local authorities,not much luck
> >> there. Gawd, I've never been to Nebraska.
> >>
> >
> > Ouch. I'm sorry this happened. The below is from an old issue of Cosa
> > Bolle
> > in Pentola, my (nominally) Italian wine food and travel newsletter:
>
> (great information clipped and saved)
>
> > Kyle
> > http://www.cosablle.com
>
> When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge slip, I
> often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they match?"
> I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it sometime.

I've had clerks try to compare my signature. I pointedly ask them where
they went to school and what courses they took regarding handwriting
analysis. Kind of makes the point right then and there.

They should just ask to see ID though a good identity thief also has
that too, their picture with your name and relevant information.

The problem is that it isn't going to get any better.
For example, there's a push for a national standardization of ID's.

All well and good but they only people that will have access to the
encoded information on the license will be public safety and government.
Everyone else can go pound sand. But the bar codes and mag stripes all
follow open conventions so anyone with a decent sublimation printer and
plastic card stock could potentially create their own ID's. So long as
they don't get stopped for something nobody would ever know.

The only way we'll ever have secure ID and credit cards is if we lay in
several layers of security which most people won't put up with.

Oh yes, I forgot. The dirty little secret in those reporting agencies,
banks and payroll companies is how loose their security actually is.
This has been a stunningly bad month for business security what with T-
Mobile, ChoicePoint, Bank of America and a few others suffering data
security incidents that even an amateur could identify solutions for.
But they aren't amateurs, they're professionals. {If you missed the
dripping sarcasm, I suggest you read it again.}

On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 14:43:29 GMT, "Kyle Phillips"
> wrote:

>
> The numbers a
> Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
> Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271


Thanks for the information! Sorry you had to find out the
hard way, though.

sf

On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 10:45:19 -0500, "limey"
> wrote:

> When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge slip, I
> often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they match?"
> I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it sometime.

I'm finding that more and more diligent clerks also ask for
picture ID, such as a driver's license.

sf

"sf" wrote in message

"limey"
> wrote:
> When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge
> slip, I
>> often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they
>> match?"
>> I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it
>> sometime.
>
> I'm finding that more and more diligent clerks also ask for
> picture ID, such as a driver's license.
>
> sf

Yes, I think everyone is more conscious of security these days. Why, I even
had to produce a picture ID before I could get my mammogram taken! Now
who'd want to fake that?
<BG>

Dora

"limey" > wrote in message
...

> Yes, I think everyone is more conscious of security these days. Why, I
> even had to produce a picture ID before I could get my mammogram taken!
> Now who'd want to fake that?

What, you needed to provide a picture of your boobs? I thought that's what
they were for! (smile)

Increasingly, I need to get a picture driver's license. Sucks.

nancy

"Nancy Young" wrote in message >
"limey" wrote in message
>
>> Yes, I think everyone is more conscious of security these days. Why, I
>> even had to produce a picture ID before I could get my mammogram taken!
>> Now who'd want to fake that?
>
> What, you needed to provide a picture of your boobs? I thought that's
> what
> they were for! (smile)

(cracking up). I said, "Geez, what do you think I would do? Send a
friend?"
>
> Increasingly, I need to get a picture driver's license. Sucks.
>
> nancy
>

On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 12:46:05 -0500, Scott >
wrote:


>
>Here's one for the idiot file:
>A friend of mine used to own a hardware store. I was there one day,
>chatting with him, when a woman in her mid-thirties came in, wearing a
>cap with the logo of a local county police department.
>
>She paid for her purchase with a credit card. My friend checked the
>signatures, and said to her, "the credit card doesn't have a signature
>on it. I'll have to see some ID."
>
>With a little triumphant smile, the woman said, "See? That's a police
>trick. Don't sign your credit cards. If someone steals 'em, they'll have
>to show ID before they can use 'em."
>
>Me: "Well, no. They'll just sign the back of the credit cards. That way,
>the signatures will match and they won't be caught."
>
>She: "They can't do that!"
>
>Me: "Of course they can. They have your credit card in their hands. They
>can do whatever they want to it."
>
>The look on her face was comical.

On your credit card, where the signature goes, just write, "ASK FOR
I.D.".


Rusty

Nancy Young wrote:

> "Kyle Phillips" >
>
> > The numbers a
> > Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> > Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
> > Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> > Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
>
> GOOD JOB!!! I wanted to post this information but I didn't know
> where to look for it. Thanks for your post, great information.
>


And IIRC as of March 1st (this Tuesday) these agencies are required to give
you a credit report for no cost...

--
Best
Greg

"limey" > wrote:

>
>"Nancy Young" wrote in message >
>"limey" wrote in message
>>
>>> Yes, I think everyone is more conscious of security these days. Why, I
>>> even had to produce a picture ID before I could get my mammogram taken!
>>> Now who'd want to fake that?
>>
>> What, you needed to provide a picture of your boobs? I thought that's
>> what
>> they were for! (smile)
>
>(cracking up). I said, "Geez, what do you think I would do? Send a
>friend?"


How about an enemy?



--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral, 48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

Rusty wrote:

> On your credit card, where the signature goes, just write, "ASK FOR
> I.D.".
> Rusty

Perhaps better yet- "ask for PICTURE ID"
Goomba

"Nancy Young" > ha scritto nel messaggio
...
>
> "Kyle Phillips" >
>
> > The numbers a
> > Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> > Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
> > Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> > Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
>
> GOOD JOB!!! I wanted to post this information but I didn't know
> where to look for it. Thanks for your post, great information.
>
> nancy
>
I forgot to mention that the thing is a year old. I assume that the numbers
are still valid, but if they're not they'll at least point people in the
right direction. The important thing is to have the organizations' names

Kyle

Gregory Morrow wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>
> > "Kyle Phillips" >
> >
> > > The numbers a
> > > Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> > > Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
> > > Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> > > Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
> >
> > GOOD JOB!!! I wanted to post this information but I didn't know
> > where to look for it. Thanks for your post, great information.
> >
>
>
> And IIRC as of March 1st (this Tuesday) these agencies are required
to give
> you a credit report for no cost...


They are rolling out the free reports in phases by region of the
country. West coast got theirs starting Jan. 1. The midwest has them
available starting Mar. 1. That's good for Dog3, as he is a St. Louis
guy and can get them (and REALLY needs them).


Brian

Default User wrote:
> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>>> "Kyle Phillips" >
>>>
>>>> The numbers a
>>>> Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
>>>> Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
>>>> Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
>>>> Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
>>>
>>> GOOD JOB!!! I wanted to post this information but I didn't know
>>> where to look for it. Thanks for your post, great information.
>>>
>>
>>
>> And IIRC as of March 1st (this Tuesday) these agencies are required
>> to give you a credit report for no cost...
>
>
> They are rolling out the free reports in phases by region of the
> country. West coast got theirs starting Jan. 1. The midwest has them
> available starting Mar. 1. That's good for Dog3, as he is a St. Louis
> guy and can get them (and REALLY needs them).
>
>
> Brian

I had some goofy stuff show up on my credit report. I had to pay for the
report, too. It listed me as having worked for someone I never worked for;
had my work address as my home address (who at home has a 'suite' number?);
had me owing money for trash pickup when I lived in apartments where it's
included in the rent. Then of course MCI 'slammed' me for long distance
charges when I never used them for anything, let alone long distance. They
would only take 3 months of charges off my bill because I didn't notice it
sooner - it was only a buck or so a month so I didn't notice it right away.
(sigh)

Jill

"limey" >, if that's their real name, wrote:

>When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge slip, I
>often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if they match?"
>I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary. Try it sometime.

I haven't done that, but I always thank the clerks who do check.

Carol
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

"Kyle Phillips" >, if that's his real name,
wrote:

>A Public Service Announcement

Thanks for this information, Kyle. And it's so cool that you're posting
again. You were missed.

I think it's about time I made your lasagna with bechamel (thanks for
telling me what bechamel was), prosciutto and yummy red sauce. I wonder if
the deli is still open.

Carol


--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

"Nancy Young" >, if that's their real name, wrote:

>Once I was buying something and I hadn't signed my card. The cashier
>pointed that out and insisted I sign it. (sigh) She then checked my
>signature against the charge slip and yup, the signatures matched.
>I wanted to pluck her in the head, maybe jump start her brain cells. (laugh)

That is TOO funny!

Carol
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

Rusty >, if that's their real name,
wrote:

>On your credit card, where the signature goes, just write, "ASK FOR
>I.D.".

I did that. A clerk made me sign the card anyway. People don't make it
easy to protect yourself.

Carol
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

In article >, "Kyle Phillips"
> wrote::

> Subject: IDENTITY PROTECTION
> A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
> company.
> I pass it along, for your information.
>
> 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.

I was once told that the bank doesn't give a rip about the signature --
unless YOU, the customer and account owner, complain about a check that
you believe was forged. Until that happens, the bank assumes
everything is just fine.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Sweet Potato Follies added 2/24/05.
"I read recipes the way I read science fiction: I get to the end and
say,'Well, that's not going to happen.'" - Comedian Rita Rudner,
performance at New York, New York, January 10, 2005.

In article > , Dog3
> wrote:

> > When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge
> > slip, I often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if
> > they match?" I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary.
> > Try it sometime.
> >
> > Dora
>
> Never do I think to do that. I never check my slips or destroy them.

Are you going to start?
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Sweet Potato Follies added 2/24/05.
"I read recipes the way I read science fiction: I get to the end and
say,'Well, that's not going to happen.'" - Comedian Rita Rudner,
performance at New York, New York, January 10, 2005.

Hi Carol,

I was going to reply via email but see you're going to mailblocks and don't
know how they work. I simply jimmied my address so a spambot won't be able
to fix it (I hope).

In any case, it's nice to know someone thought of me, and also to be back
after several years of ISPs who were woefully bad with English language
newsgroups (a disadvantage of being in Italy, I guess...). I'm expecting to
stay with Alice, my current ISP, for a while.

Kyle
Who will bore all with the next issue of Cosa Bolle in Pentola
>
> Thanks for this information, Kyle. And it's so cool that you're posting
> again. You were missed.
>
> I think it's about time I made your lasagna with bechamel (thanks for
> telling me what bechamel was), prosciutto and yummy red sauce. I wonder
if
> the deli is still open.
>
> Carol
>
>
> --
> "Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
> 'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
> Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."
>
> *James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

if you inform them you are persuing and identity theft case, the credit
report is free...as well as the follow up reports with corrected
information. Been there, done that, got the stacks of file folders,
international phone bills, and fax fees to prove it!

Sandi

It was always free if you told them you were persuing ID theft and gave
them a police report number.

Sandi

Kyle wrote:

<snip>

>The numbers a
> Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> Experian (formerly TRW):
> 1-888-397-3742
> Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> Social Security Administration (fraud
> line): 1-800-269-0271

Here's a link to today's MSN offering:

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...15.asp?Printer

It may simply be reiterating what you've already posted. I'm saving
your post to print out. Thanks.

Elaine

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article > , Dog3
> > wrote:
>
>
>>>When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge
>>>slip, I often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if
>>>they match?" I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary.
>>>Try it sometime.
>>>
>>>Dora
>>
>>Never do I think to do that. I never check my slips or destroy them.
>
>
> Are you going to start?

AND use a shredder at home to take care of it when
you're ready to part with these things??
Goomba

Sandi wrote:
> It was always free if you told them you were persuing ID theft and
gave
> them a police report number.


Please start following usenet conventions and quote a reasonable
portion of the post you are replying to, so that people know what you
are talking about. I know that it isn't obvious how to do so, because
Google screwed it up, but it isn't difficult.

Instead of using the Reply at the bottom of the message, click "show
options". Then use the Reply in the expanded headers.

Thanks.



Brian

Dog3 wrote:

> > And IIRC as of March 1st (this Tuesday) these agencies are required
to
> > give you a credit report for no cost...
> >
>
> I just got one. Whoever this person is, has been using my info for
months.
> This is going to be a nightmare, I can see it now. At least I'm
heading for
> a late lunch with friends. I get enchiladas today. Yumm. I'm going to

> Chueys in Dogtown. Their salsa is to die for. I'm being picked up and

> around. SO's Jeep is in the shop and he has commisioned mine.

Unfortunately, that doesn't surprise me. Be sure to get a fraud alert
placed on your credit files. This will keep any new credit accounts
from being set up without them first contacting you. Some details at
the link below:


http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/flag.html

Good luck buddy.


Brian

In article > , Dog3
> wrote:

> >>
> >> Never do I think to do that. I never check my slips or destroy them.
> >
> > Are you going to start?
>
> You betcha I'm gonna check. I may just drive to Nebraska to find this
> person. I have a feeling this person was in St. Louis at one of my doc's
> offices. That is where they got it. From now on, I'm checking everything
> when I purchase. What I want to know is, do you sign the credit card or
> not? I've been told yes and no.
>
> Michael

I sure do sign the card. I also acknowledge the clerk who compares the
signature to the signed receipt. I'm also in the habit of shredding
just about anything with my name on it, too.

Interesting tidbit: My local Cub stores do not require a signature on
the slip if the amount is under $25. I have no idea why they do not.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Sweet Potato Follies added 2/24/05.
"I read recipes the way I read science fiction: I get to the end and
say,'Well, that's not going to happen.'" - Comedian Rita Rudner,
performance at New York, New York, January 10, 2005.

Default User wrote:
> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
>>Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Kyle Phillips" >
>>>
>>>>The numbers a
>>>>Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
>>>>Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
>>>>Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
>>>>Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
>>>
>>>GOOD JOB!!! I wanted to post this information but I didn't know
>>>where to look for it. Thanks for your post, great information.
>>>
>>
>>
>>And IIRC as of March 1st (this Tuesday) these agencies are required
>
> to give
>
>>you a credit report for no cost...
>
>
>
> They are rolling out the free reports in phases by region of the
> country. West coast got theirs starting Jan. 1. The midwest has them
> available starting Mar. 1. That's good for Dog3, as he is a St. Louis
> guy and can get them (and REALLY needs them).
>




www.annualcreditreport.com

Best regards,
Bob

Barb wrote:

> I sure do sign the card. I also acknowledge the clerk who compares the
> signature to the signed receipt. I'm also in the habit of shredding
> just about anything with my name on it, too.

Problem is, most clerks DON'T compare the signature on the receipt to the
signature on the card. I think I've posted the following link here before,
and it's funny to read, but it points up the utter failure of the signature
concept:

http://www.thescreamonline.com/carto...3-3/index.html

Bob

In article >,
says...
> In article >, "Kyle Phillips"
> > wrote::
>
> > Subject: IDENTITY PROTECTION
> > A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
> > company.
> > I pass it along, for your information.
> >
> > 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.
>
> I was once told that the bank doesn't give a rip about the signature --
> unless YOU, the customer and account owner, complain about a check that
> you believe was forged. Until that happens, the bank assumes
> everything is just fine.
>

That's true - then they pull out the card you signed when you created
the account and get real handwriting experts to examine it and the
allegedly forged document.

In article > , uhoh@ajfl
says...
> Melba's Jammin' > wrote in news:thisisbogus-
> :
>
> > In article > , Dog3
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> > When shopping and handing over my credit card and signing the charge
> >> > slip, I often ask the clerk, "Did you check the signatures, to see if
> >> > they match?" I'm always greeted with the same puzzled look. Scary.
> >> > Try it sometime.
> >> >
> >> > Dora
> >>
> >> Never do I think to do that. I never check my slips or destroy them.
> >
> > Are you going to start?
>
> You betcha I'm gonna check. I may just drive to Nebraska to find this
> person. I have a feeling this person was in St. Louis at one of my doc's
> offices. That is where they got it. From now on, I'm checking everything
> when I purchase. What I want to know is, do you sign the credit card or
> not? I've been told yes and no.

Better yet - contact the entity that loaned the money for the vehicle
and get the VIN. From there, have a friend at a local PD run an NCIC
check on the VIN which will then return the registration information.
You may elect to let your PD contact their local PD at that point,
unless you just want to put a .45 slug into the perps body.

In article >,
says...
> In article > , Dog3
> > wrote:
>
> > >>
> > >> Never do I think to do that. I never check my slips or destroy them.
> > >
> > > Are you going to start?
> >
> > You betcha I'm gonna check. I may just drive to Nebraska to find this
> > person. I have a feeling this person was in St. Louis at one of my doc's
> > offices. That is where they got it. From now on, I'm checking everything
> > when I purchase. What I want to know is, do you sign the credit card or
> > not? I've been told yes and no.
> >
> > Michael
>
> I sure do sign the card. I also acknowledge the clerk who compares the
> signature to the signed receipt. I'm also in the habit of shredding
> just about anything with my name on it, too.
>
> Interesting tidbit: My local Cub stores do not require a signature on
> the slip if the amount is under $25. I have no idea why they do not.

Yes - that's a new feature meant to speed transaction times. Turns out
that most charges on credit and debit cards are $25 or less.

I've also noted that your receipts generally print only the last four
digits of your card number. That leaves twelve digits, first digit being
a 3, 4, 5, or 6. Those correspond to American Express, Visa
International, MasterCard International and Discover. So that would be 3
*10^11 possibilities to go through, or 300,000,000,000. I believe the
last digit or two is part of a check digit algorithm but it has been a
long time since I wrote credit card processing software.

Default User wrote:
> Sandi wrote:
> > It was always free if you told them you were persuing ID theft and
> gave
> > them a police report number.
>
>
> Please start following usenet conventions and quote a reasonable
> portion of the post you are replying to, so that people know what you
> are talking about. I know that it isn't obvious how to do so, because
> Google screwed it up, but it isn't difficult.
>
> Instead of using the Reply at the bottom of the message, click "show
> options". Then use the Reply in the expanded headers.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Brian

I=B4ve posted here for several years and today I freaking forgot to use
the alternative show options method to reply. So shoot me. Are you so
perfect that you never make mistakes or errors?


Sandi

"Bob" >, if that's their real name, wrote:

>Problem is, most clerks DON'T compare the signature on the receipt to the
>signature on the card.

I just ordered new checks, and they offered the opportunity to put my own
little message just above my signature. This is what will be on my checks:

PLEASE COMPARE MY SIGNATURE WITH MY DRIVER'S LICENSE.

We'll have to see if it helps any.

Carol
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_