| I got a new credit card today. Well, technically, I | | | | be changed, but some people even go so far as |
| got a new "company credit card" today. When | | | | to change the "mother's maiden name" question. |
| the boss wasn't around, I went ahead and called | | | | Of course, the simplest way to stop this is to |
| his credit card company and told them we had | | | | catch it early. You can do so by doing the |
| lost his company card and needed a new one. | | | | following: |
| They asked me for all of the usual identifying | | | | 1. Open your credit card statements, or check |
| information - social security number, mother's | | | | your transactions online regularly. If anything |
| maiden name, address, phone, account number, | | | | seems questionable - no matter how small or |
| etc. - and of course, I gave the guy on the other | | | | large - call the credit card company immediately |
| end of the line all of that information. I then told | | | | and ask them how many cards they've sent out. |
| him that I wanted to change the password | | | | You can also verify that your security information |
| question "because the last bookkeeper got fired, | | | | is still what you originally created. |
| and we need to protect my boss's identity." | | | | 2. If they tell you your password information has |
| The guy at the credit card company didn't even | | | | changed, be sure to throw a high holy conniption |
| miss a beat - after all, companies get new | | | | fit and demand to speak to an account manager |
| bookkeepers all the time. "Which question would | | | | or "their boss." Get this account closed |
| you like?" the guy asked me. "Do you want a | | | | immediately because whoever has your card can |
| question about your high school, pets, favorite | | | | still make purchases even while you're on the line. |
| cities..." and on and on and on. | | | | They will send you a new credit card with a new |
| "How about the question about pets," I answered | | | | credit card number within a matter of days. |
| innocently. | | | | 3. Get copies of your three credit reports as |
| "Okay. What is your pet's name?" he asked. | | | | soon as you possibly can because - quite frankly - |
| I thought really quickly, then answered, "Moron." | | | | if your private information has been changed, |
| "Excuse me," the guy on the phone said. | | | | there's nothing to keep them from signing up for |
| "My pet's name is Moron," I repeated sincerely. | | | | more credit cards at vendors you may never |
| What I wanted to add was - "and Moron's my | | | | even have heard of. But, the good news is that |
| boss" - but I managed to hold my tongue... barely. | | | | every single one of those stolen cards will show |
| It was so hard. | | | | up on your credit reports, but not always all three |
| "Okay. Moron it is," the guy said in a serious tone | | | | of the reports, which is why you should spend |
| while clicking away at the keys on the other end | | | | the extra money to access all three. (In fact, for |
| of the phone. "Anything else I can help you with?" | | | | $14.95 a month at Transunion, you can actually |
| "Oh. I almost forgot," I added. "Our office has | | | | access those three reports and credit scores for |
| moved. The address I gave you was for the old | | | | free every month. It may be worth it if you ever |
| address. The new address and phone number is..." | | | | find yourself a victim of identity fraud.) |
| and then I gave him my home address and | | | | 4. If a credit card company calls you and says |
| personal cell number. | | | | there is questionable activity on your account, get |
| Again, I heard clicking on the other end of the line | | | | online immediately and see what they are talking |
| as the poor dupe updated my boss's "new | | | | about. If they are contacting you, they are |
| information." When he was done, he said, "You | | | | probably seeing something they've never seen on |
| should get that credit card in the mail by...", which | | | | your account before. So even if you have your |
| turned out was today. | | | | credit card on you, it never hurts to double check |
| So, I swung by my house and checked the mail | | | | whatever charges they're concerned about. |
| during lunch. The card was already there. So I | | | | 5. And lastly, make sure you know where ALL |
| went ahead and treated myself to lunch - on the | | | | cards are at all times. I once had a client who |
| boss, of course. After all, he doesn't pay me | | | | ordered a card for his wife - a card which never |
| nearly enough for all the excellent work I do for | | | | arrived. It turned out, someone stole it from his |
| him. And since the boss never opens the mail - | | | | mailbox and was shopping with it in the next town |
| especially that particular credit card bill- what he | | | | and my client never knew. Luckily, I caught it with |
| doesn't know what hurt him. | | | | the very next credit card statement when I |
| I wonder what I'll buy tomorrow... Maybe some | | | | asked for receipts that matched the charges, and |
| new earrings. I've always wanted pearls... | | | | we realized immediately what had happened. So |
| How to Prevent this Kind of Bookkeeper Theft: | | | | even though the thief had managed to steal more |
| You would not believe how incredibly frustrating it | | | | than $7,000 in 15 short days, my client was not |
| is to call into your credit card company and find | | | | liable for a penny, especially because he disputed |
| out that all of your password information has | | | | the charges right away. (Which is another good |
| been changed. Not only can your password info | | | | reason to check those statements every month. |