| The simplest way for fraud to get access to your | | | | your bank gives your checking account information to |
| bank statement is by the use of your own checks. | | | | someone. |
| Well, how could other people get your checks? It is so | | | | 6. Keep all your checking accounts statements to |
| simple! They just snatch your checkbook when you | | | | know if you issued each check appropriately. |
| are about to pay for your purchases or they can just | | | | 7. When requesting for a new checkbook, be sure to |
| pick it from your pockets or bags. | | | | claim it at your bank personally. Do not permit your |
| Checks are usually susceptible to thieves especially if | | | | bank to just mail it to you since most thieves acquire |
| you are not attending to it that much. The thief may | | | | your personal and financial information by stealing your |
| get one piece of your check or worse, he or she | | | | mails. |
| might take your whole check book. | | | | 8. Do not put your Social Security number on your |
| Once you realize that your check book is missing or | | | | checks. Do not write/print any of your financial credit |
| stolen, you should stop payments for it and have them | | | | information outside an envelope. |
| cancelled. It is wise that you should inform your bank | | | | 9. Review all your check statement and cashed |
| immediately after you realize your check is missing. It is | | | | checks using your periodic bank statements to know if |
| also necessary to request for any check verification | | | | there are any unofficial transaction and charges. |
| service from the bank to know if your missing or | | | | 10. When applying for a checking account, it is wise |
| stolen checks have already been used | | | | to ask the bank how they dispose of your application. |
| However, if you are a check user and afraid of being | | | | Once you have received a confirmation about your |
| a victim of identity theft, here are steps which you can | | | | checking account application, be sure to shred it to |
| use to protect yourself from having your financial | | | | pieces. |
| identity, through your stolen checks, used by a thief on | | | | 11. When writing on your check, use a permanent |
| his/her shopping spree: | | | | marker with fine point and write a line before your |
| 1. Request for an annual credit report from the three | | | | write the amount. In this way you are already avoiding |
| major credit agencies to verify all your account | | | | someone to write an additional "something" on your |
| transactions. This is to make sure that there are no | | | | check. |
| strange activities in your credit report. | | | | 12. Once you notice that one of your checks is |
| 2. Make sure to report all your stolen checks. In | | | | missing, immediately contact your bank about it. You |
| addition, it is also good to have a copy of your | | | | can also file a report to the nearest police station and |
| checking account number. Notify your bank once your | | | | have a copy of the police report to present to the |
| check is missing or stolen. | | | | bank if ever they ask for it. |
| 3. Do not put your checkbook in a purse or bag | | | | By having a correct and complete account records, |
| together with your valid ids or passports. | | | | you are preventing identity theft happening to you. |
| 4. Make sure not to put any checking account | | | | Just follow the steps given, and you will be sure of the |
| statements in your mailbox. | | | | safety of your checks and your personal protection |
| 5. Request for privacy procedures and information | | | | therefore, avoiding identity theft. |
| application from your bank. Know the situation once | | | | |