[NewMusic] NewMusic Digest, Vol 16, Issue 20

[Cypod]

Crime statistics trackers:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us./cvc/default.asp
http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/crimewatch/

And then there is this:

ATTORNEY'S ADVICE - NO CHARGE

  Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it
someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
 A corporate Attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
company.

  1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID
REQUIRED."

  2. 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
won't have access to it.

  3. 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. (DUH!) You can add it if it is
necessary.
But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

  4. 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.

  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:

  5. 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.

  6. 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).



But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to
do this.)

            7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations
Immediately to place a fraud alert on your name
and also call the Social Security fraud line 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 dead in their tracks.

            Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact
about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

           1.) Equifax: 800-525-6285

           2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742

           3.) Trans Union : 800-6807289

           4.) Social Security Administration
(fraudline):800-269-0271

     We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about
everything.

   If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help
someone that needs it.







-- 
B~
www.cypod.co.nr