Dear Megagaga:
In this day and age, one never knows if a letter or communication
containing financial information will be intercepted before reaching
its intended destination. However, were I you, I would not obsess
about exposing myself to "unnecessary risk" as I'd wager you now
observe the safest information exchange you can practice.
When the news was full of reports about "check washing" I became
concerned even though I lived in a southern rural area where probably
no one would steal my mail from my mailbox. Apparently, people were
cruising the roads looking for the mailbox flag up then they would
steal the outgoing bill payments, "wash" the check and then reissue it
for more money. The check washing scheme is explained more fully at
http://www.ckfraud.org/washing.html and that site suggests:
"Don't leave outgoing mail in an unlocked box. Take it to work, drop
it in a collection box, hand it to a letter carrier or take it
directly to the post office.
"If you have to leave outgoing mail in your box, do it immediately
before the letter carrier comes, and don't raise the mailbox flag.
"Avoid leaving mail in a box on Sundays and holidays, when letter
carriers don't work."
I did follow the news advice of not leaving outgoing mail in my
mailbox with the flag up - that does seem to be advertising "Here's me
paying my bills! Come steal my mail!" lol I began to drop my mail
only in USPS collection boxes. I feel safer doing it that way now and
I don't concern myself with it being stolen.
******************
As far as booksellers go, it has been my experience that people who
trade in books are generally quite honorable and usually the business
is a small operation (unless you go with a giant like Amazon or Barnes
& Noble, and they have extraordinary security measures in place
already). Of course, at any time, an employee of a company with which
you do business might "borrow" your secure information, however, law
enforcement could probably easily trace it back to a point of origin
within a company.
Another recent security measure that is gaining use is the placement
of a 4-digit number on the back of a credit card. You may read a
concise explanation of this recent credit card feature at
https://secure.bmtmicro.com/cart/CVV.html
***************
An interesting article on credit card theft is located at
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/2002/06/26/identity-theft-site.htm and
mentions a site where you may visit to see if your card has been used
without your authorization. The article reads in part:
"The group, CardCops, collected the information from Internet chat
rooms where thieves have been checking whether stolen card numbers are
still good to use or have been deactivated.
"The group alerted the Secret Service to the scheme and turned over
its database to investigators. It then decided to create the Web site
so Americans can check their numbers and possibly prevent fraudulent
charges.
"We're creating a situation where Joe Consumer can check his card on
the Internet to see if it's been possibly abused," said Dan Clements,
founder of CardCops."
The article also states "Most credit card companies won't charge
cardholders for fraudulent purchases, although it is important to
contact the issuing bank promptly. Federal law limits the customer's
liability to $50."
CardCops is located at http://www.cardcops.com/ - and you might also
contact your credit card company to see what their limit is on
unauthorized charges for the cardholder. Many credit card companies
offer low-cost insurance to be purchased for this possibility but many
also cover this at no cost in the card holder agreement.
****************
I think the practice you mentioned about emailing half the number at a
time is an excellent idea. On the very off chance that something went
awry, you have done the best you can do to protect your personal
financial information. That's really all you can do - your best. My
dad is fond of saying that "locks are only for honest people" meaning
that if a thief wants to break into your home, they will find a way
past locks and alarms.
My suggestion to you is to continue to practice what you feel is the
safest transmission of personal financial data. Even the mega-rich
with all their alarms and guards still experience home break-ins and
other types of theft. If someone wants your information, they will
find a way to get it. However, if you continue to act as responsible
as you do now, you may be secure in knowing that you are doing
everything in your power to protect your personal credit information.
Should you require clarification of any of the links or information I
have provided, please request it and I will be happy to respond.
SEARCH STRATEGY:
"check washing"
stealing credit card numbers
CardCops
credit card security four digit number |
