People offering to do extra work only if they get paid for it, or take on extra responsibility only if their salary is increased first, have it backwards in my book. My advice: do work, do it well, and then do it even better. Higher pay, greater responsibilities and increased opportunities follow individuals who are contributors. Anytime I looked to hire people, offer permanent positions to temporary employees or interns, start up new departments or businesses, or promote individuals, I looked for people doing their job well ..."and then some.”

(c) 2004 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.

6. If someone calls you asking for your personal information on telephone – do not provide any personal information to anyone over phone.

7. Don’t leave your mail out overnight. If you will be away from home for any period of time: have your home mail delivery stopped. If possible, secure a locked mail box at your local post office or a retail store mail box service for your home mail delivery.

If you go on vacation, have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped and arrange to have your yard maintained. Include post office, newspaper service, and your friends or neighbors to insure that your home looks as if it is occupied while you are gone.

For a checklist for your home security while you are away see – ProtectionConnect.com/homesecurity www.ProtectionConnect.com/sitemap. www checklist.html or html#home.

8. Write “Check ID” on back of your debit or credit cards next to your signature. In that way, when a retail store checks your signature on your card, they will verify that card is being used by proper individual.

9. Be aware of people standing too close to you and “shoulder surfing” you while you conduct your ATM transactions.

If you do become a victim of an identity crime – do following:

1. Demand to file a police report no matter how unwilling law enforcement office may be. Make sure to get a copy or at least report number.

2. In case of card fraud, make sure to cancel your card and report it as stolen to your credit card company as soon as you find out.

Immediately, fill out affidavits with appropriate financial institution denying that you were one who made relevant purchases. In most cases, banks will respond with up to a 30-day process that requires businesses that accepted fraudulent transactions to repay banks.

3. Report fraud to three major credit bureaus:

~ TransUnion Post Office Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022

~ Equifax, Equifax Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc Post Office Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 1.888.766.0008

~ Experian Consumer Information Post Office Box 1909 Orange, CA 92865

4. The U.S. Secret Service handles fraud cases that cross state borders. If you know that your case applies, contact their local office to make them aware of your case. If it is part of a broader fraud case, you may be contacted by an agent.

5. You can also fill out a complaint form with Federal Trade Commission, although this is strictly used to track national identity theft statistics.

Copyright Steven Presar