Being a past victim of credit fraud I am always looking for ways to better protect my finances. I came across a novel idea that is worth passing along to others. When ever you receive a new credit card or replacement credit card, instead of signing the back of the card in the space provided, write "ask for I.D.". Every little bit helps against the perps.

 

Yea its a great idea and have been practicing that for several years now. The problem is people not looking on the back. Use your card at a gas station and see if they check it.

 

Go to atm get cash and pay for items you purchase. Dont give pin numbers in public. DO NOT USE PULSEPAY - GIVE PIN INSTEAD OF SIGNATURE. Shread you bills and card offers. Access your account with anything other than your mothers maiden name. Destroy hard drives to all old computers. Watch out who you give your credit card info to on the internet.

 

Never been a concern of mine. You can't ruin my credit, I already did.
Beisdes, what are they going to do, come take everything I owe?

 

When the greedy credit card offerings come to your mailbox, write in big letters and underline "Refused - Return to sender". The sender gets to pay 37 cents to get it back. This assumes they used first class postage or 3rd class return postage guranteed. Doing so seems to result in reduced offerings. I've always wanted to tape a brick or a 2x4 to the offending mail so the business can pay more postage just to get it back, but have yet to try it.

If your state drivers license shows your SS #, lobby the appropriate politicans to have the motor vehicle department stop this practice.

When you move somewhere, notify all of the parties you know of your new address rather than put in a change of address form at the post office. Why would anyone want to double up on their junk mail.

For receiving mail such as tax information, dividend checks, bank statements, etc etc, go and rent a PO box; mail theft is on the rise. And when paying bills, drop them off at a mailbox that is conspicuous, during daylight hours, and ensure that the pickup of the mail is timely. Do not leave it in a mailbox overnight and don't use your home mailbox (mail theft concerns).

 

Bad credit, so who cares - right? What's happening to me could happen. My Bronco was broke into 6 months ago. Dirtbag found my wallet and checkbook under the seat where I hid them, (no safe place, except next to your skin).

The credit card was turned off within hours. The credit Co. knew somethings fishy with multiple small purchases in the early morning. I was on the phone within 3 hours of the theft and called and cancelled EVERYTHING.

Still, he was able to write 20 or 30 checks for an average of $500 to $900 each. He's probably 15 years older and a lot uglier than I, but he shows my drivers license and most places took it - no problem.

Federal law protects victims of theft from being responcible for the puchases of the dirtbag thieves; HOWEVER, you still have to fill out an affidavid, and have it notorized for each check written. The notories down at the bank know me very well. I got phone calls and letters all the time.

That was 6 months ago. A couple months ago he went to the rental place in another town and, using my name, rented me a brand new John Deere riding lawn mower and trailer that the rental place just bought for over $6000. I found this out when a 300 pound gorilla showed up at the door, wanting his tractor.

2 weeks ago my house was raided by the county sheriffs a couple counties over. Before the raid they went to my neighbors and asked questions and told them not to say anything to me, (they did - later after they found the truth - talk about avoidance). I wasn't home and they scared the stuffing out of my daughter. I think they got the idea I was the wrong guy when I repeatedly called the Dept. trying to set up an appointment.

I went to Lowes and Home Depot this weekend, (I'm in the middle of a bath remodel). They wouldn't take my checks or my ATM card. Seems these guys go off your drivers licence number,(which doesn't change in this state if the old one gets stolen.)

Next week, I get to go to court in an other county. Seems Dirtbag got arrested and released for felony theft and possesion. I called and went down there, but they told me I still better show up or I might get a warrent out on me. They might as well come on over, I'll have the coffee on.

Nows he's moved back up here, stolen some blank counter checks from someplace and is filling in my name. The spending spree continues. I've warned my buds at the bank to get ready for me.

All this hasn't literally cost me a dime in payback to the stores, so the donut munchers down at the city police dept. haven't done a thing - in fact, my report went inactive minutes after I made it. I called them with info, ( the guys picture, vehicle, etc.) They don't care unless it's a store thats calling and the INDIVIDUAL theft, (not collective), is over $4500.

The cops from other areas are getting close to nabbing the dirtbag - I'm crossing my fingers.

You better care about your privacy - no one else will.

 

A business is not actually supposed to take a credit card or debit card, unless it is signed. Just read the back of it. Where I used to work, when someone would give me a card that said SEE ID I would ask for their ID and also make them sign the back of the card.

 

I can't say I've ever been checked for ID when I've used my credit card. I think writing, "check ID," on the back in big bold letters and signing is a good idea. Anything to cause the clerk to pause is a good idea.

 

Store clerks usually won't flip the card over. Even when they check the ID they won't compare the picture to your face, they only look to make sure its the correct name.

 

We the consumers will all pay everytime this happens. True those folks sending pre-approved cards in the mail dont help the matter, and should do a MUCH better job of identifieing who they are giveing credit too. I GIVE the clerk identification everytime i write a check or use a credit card wether they ask or not. They might one day start doing it automaticly This would help. Please dont raise a fuss when a clerk asks for ID, IT IS FOR OUR OWN GOOD they do this. NO free pizza on me i say

 

...Ive been doing the See ID thing for years, And I willing provide more ID when asked....But if they tried to make me sign the card, I'd simply leave, and they'd lose a sale.

 

This has happened to me, Best Buy will not take a card that is not signed; I went to great extremes to get into a bit of discussion with the corporate office about this. Their statement is, they will not accept any card that is not signed, but they will accept the card being signed in-front of the salesperson with no other from of ID.” This is where I had some real issues.

Go figure

 

I to write see ID on my cards. But, nobody ever asks. The other day I was asked at a gas station and was amazed. I asked the clerk if he was new and he said yes and asked why? I told him that since I had that card, he was the first person to ever ask for my ID. I have had that card 4 years.

 

EXELLANT...GREAT IDEA...GOOD THINKING.
GUESS YOU MIGHT SAY... THAT WOULD DEFINATELY HELP SLOW THE DISHONES DOWN.
I'LL TRY IT.

 

Yea, which brings up the point if they cannot make change, how are they going to read
“check ID”