Good morning Folks. Just a quick note about the December 11, 2002, Ladies of the Knight meeting, IDPA and an email sent by my brother Gary about ID theft.  Tnx  Norm
PS -- Jane and I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season!

       1. Please note that the December 11, 2002, LOK meeting has a slightly different schedule than the previous meetings.
             a. Registration will be in the classroom from 6 - 7PM. Refreshments (wings, cheese tray, cold cut platter, drinks & sweet stuff) will be served. In addition, Donna's associates (Body & Sole Spa) will be doing free chair massages and Cindy will display unique, one of a kind jewelry.
             b. Seminars from 7 - 8PM. Mark Martenfeld will speak on Mid East Terrorism and I will address Safety In Public Places to tie back to life in Florida.
             c. The firing portion from 8 - 9:30PM will feature 9mm submachine guns. Ladies -- it's time to rock and roll! We will have three different light and very manageable 9mm' s on the line and you may shoot all three. In addition, the retail store will be open for your shopping pleasure -- remember, as LOK members, 10% off all regular priced items in the store except firearms & range time. Jane will be available to answer all questions about Coronado Leather products (already on sale) and accept special orders. A great opportunity for Christmas shopping. Incidentally, both Knight's and I offer Gift Certificates!
             d. The total cost for the evening, to include 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition, is $20.70. If you just wish to attend the social and seminar portion, the cost is $10.00. Please be advised that we will not be accepting deposits in advance! Please call Knight's (727-546-4447) or yours truly (727-535-9151 or 515-1317) or send me an email to advise that you will attend!

       2. Folks, also remember that IDPA competitive shooting is scheduled for the 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month. Registration is at 6:30PM and the price is $6.50 with a 100 rounds of ammunition. I was impressed during the last shoot -- Brian is getting real innovative. Please remember two things -- first 25 get to shoot and support knight's by buying your ammo and accessories at Knight's. Ed, Mark and Marni will appreciate it!

       3. Identity Theft is the crime of the future. I addressed this perviously but always worth another look. I did have a student in class over the weekend whose husband had his ID stolen -- what an ordeal! Kind of the theft that keeps on giving! Jane and I shred everything that comes in the house -- canceled checks, mail addresses, bills, etc., in order to reduce risk!

GOOD ADVICE? Pass it on Thought this was interesting...
Gary


The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address, if you do not have a PO Box use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks -- you can add it if it is necessary! But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.  (Note -- same with driver's license number! Norm)

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place!

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company. I pass it along, for your information.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc. Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. (Note -- it is not unusual for scumbags to find charge card numbers on a table in a restaurant. If you pay by charge card, check to see if the full card number is on the slip. If so, personally hand to the server. Same goes for gas purchases since some stations have your whole card number on the receipt.  Norm)

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

We have been told we should cancel your credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step
toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this)

Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.  I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.

There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.

The numbers are:
       Equifax: 1-800-525! -6285
       Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
       Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
       Social Security Administration (fraud line):  1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes; we pass along just about everything. Do think about passing this information along. It could really help someone you care about.

  STAY SAFE AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!