Last August I shared with you some helpful information about identity theft.  With that in mind, one of my editor's shared this additional information with me recently and I thought you'd find it most helpful...Protect yourself and your good name!

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 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.

2.  Do not sign the back of your credit cards.  Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED." I do this and sometimes it's a pain, but it's interesting to see if store clerks really look at it.

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 number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.

4.  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, (NEVER) You can add it if it is necessary.  However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

5.  THIS IS my favorite tip!!! 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.  Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad.  We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.

6.  I did not know this....When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them.  Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.

I know someone who recently had their wallet stolen 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 and received a PIN number from DMV to change their driving record information online.  Here is 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. 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).  However, here is what is perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this.)

3.  Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.  Most of us have never heard of doing this... until advised by a bank that calls to tell you an application for credit was made over the Internet in your 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 most of us are advised to do this, all the damage will have been done.