1. The next time you order checks, do not put your name on them, only your initials. It will be more difficult for a thief to guess your signature and will be easier for the bank to identify a fraudulent signature.
  2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “PHOTO ID REQUIRED”.
  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.
  4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address.
  5. 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. If you travel abroad, carry a photocopy of your passport in case it gets lost or stolen.
  6. If your wallet does get lost or stolen, immediately file a police report in the jurisdiction where your credit cards
    were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
  7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.