I received an email yesterday about protecting your identity from theft and how to safeguard yourself if your personal belongings are stolen.  I immediately forwarded it on to all of my email contacts.  The information provided was so valuable I felt I should include it here.

1. Do NOT sign the back of your credit cards.  Instead, write “Photo ID Required”.
2. When writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DON’T put the entire account number on the “For” line. Instead, just write the last four digits of the account. Your credit card co. knows the remaining numbers.
3. Use your work number on your checks instead of home or cell. If you have a P.O. Box, use that  instead of your home address.  If you don’t have a P.O. box, use your work address.
4. NEVER have your social security number printed on your checks- HELLO! You can obviously write it in if truly necessary.
5. This is a great idea I never thought about doing: Place the contents of your wallet on a photo copy machine or scanner. You’ll know what was in your wallet and all of the account numbers and contact phone numbers to call if your wallet has been lost or stolen. Make sure to photo copy both sides.
6. Copying your passport is also a good idea.
7. Carry these copies with you when you travel.  And, obviously,  make sure to keep the copy separate from your actual cards etc.  When home, place the copies in a safe place that you WILL REMEMBER.

So what should you do if your personal property is stolen?

1. Now that you have all of the contact info, call credit card companies right away.
2. File a Police Report right after you call the card companies- this proves to credit providers that you were diligent, and is the first step towards an investigation (if there ever is one).
3. Here is probably the MOST IMPORTANT bit of information… Call the three national credit reporting agencies immediately to place a FRAUD ALERT on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. This alert tells any company that checks your credit that your information was stolen.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS (I suggest keeping these with the copies you’ve made):

EQUIFAX:  …………………………………………………..1-800-525-6285

EXPERIAN: …………………………………………………1-888-397-3742

TRANS UNION: …………………………………………..1-800-680-7289

SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD HOTLINE:……… 1-800-269-0271

Please protect yourself and pass this along to everyone you know!

As always, if you have any questions about  selling or purchasing a home in the Las Vegas Valley, please give me a call-

Talk Soon,

Heidi Griffith
Your Las Vegas Realtor® for Life!
Realty One Group
702-540-0420

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