Hi I've been concerned with security lately as a "new" home address 1000 miles away from me popped up on my credit report. I've learned some great new knowledge: add a security password to your deposit and credit card accounts. It'll help protect you if someone tries to impersonate you and it only takes a minute. It only affects when you call in to make changes (with the exception of Citibank's Radioshack card, it'll make them call when I charge but I only use it to buy batteries so I don't care). The target guest card can't do it but the visa can. The supervisor I spoke with is now suggesting they change their system to allow a security password on the guest card system too. anyway, I wanted to pass this on. I actually got an inteligent person at TU and he said he thinks we all should put fraud warnings on our reports just to make the creditors verify more information No more instant credit... but frankly if it keeps me from going through an id theft nightmare... I can wait a week for an approval... As we work so hard to build credit and get the best deals, part of that is protecting ourselves and making sure we take all precautions against id theft...
Remember to add them onto your bank accounts too! Bank of America and Amex MB both did it for me. That way someone can't get checks or a new atm card and wipe my deposit accounts clean... that would actually be worse than credit card fraud...
hopefully an isolated case: my wife's AMEX card was stolen THREE TIMES in a one year span. after the second time the AMEX CSR advised her to put a passowrd(or a question with answer only she would know). she did and also asked AMEX to verify SS# on ALL calls regardless of purpose. then it happened for the last time. some got the number, reported the card lost and ordered a new one to deliver to her parents house(her address of record at the time). fortunately the replacement card was delivered ONE day early to her mother(who doesn't work). she has since cancelled her account a intructed them to NEVER open another account with this name and SS#. fortunately, no major purchases were made! just my 2 cents.
