This is something that all businesses should take note. I hope it
doesn’t happen to anyone else.
This past Friday, I received a call from one of our suppliers as
they needed a credit card number to process an order placed that day.
Since I tend to make one large annual order with them and the time
was nearly there, the order did not throw any red flags up.
Fortunately, their computer routinely drops all credit card numbers
after 6 months. The lady processing the order at that company was
quite flustered when it was determined that I had not placed the
order, there was no one here with the name given at the time of order
and - it was to be shipped to a different address altho still
similar.
Just 2 weeks ago, I was updating my catalog collection and disposing
of the older catalogs into the (mandatory) recycling bin and yes,
their’s was one I had tossed since I had a more current one. My
warning to you is to watch the labels on the cover. Frequently those
labels will have your customer number on them which will make it
easier for fraud to occur. Remove them prior to disposal!
And now, since I have my credit card numbers on file with several
companies which did make it easier for me, I have the unpleasant
task of having to have the current credit card numbers closed and all
new numbers issued since I don’t know who else may have received an
order from my unknown “silent partner”.
Judy Shaw
Jasco Minerals
North River, NY
Just 2 weeks ago, I was updating my catalog collection and
disposing of the older catalogs into the (mandatory) recycling bin
and yes, their's was one I had tossed since I had a more current
one. My warning to you is to watch the labels on the cover.
Frequently those labels will have your customer number on them
which will make it easier for fraud to occur. Remove them prior to
disposal!
Judy, you make an excellent point about removing labels from
catalogues. This may sound like the “department of redundancy
department”, but removing and shredding your name and address from
any and all tossed mail is now a critical protection against identity
theft. It’s tedious and time-consuming, and I resent every second of
it, but it’s imperative. It may be overkill, but I remove address
labels from everything - magazines, envelopes, whatever. I open all
junk mail - especially those applications for credit cards -and
remove every last reference to my name, before filing it with the
recyclables.
And if I am paying a bill by check, I no longer write the full
account number on it - just the last few digits. That goes especially
for your social security number.
And as to that shredded paper - when that goes goes out for
recycling, be sure to mix it up very well, especially if your
shredder does strips instead of cross-cuts. Or, take a tip from a
wise old friend of mine, dump your used kitty litter in with it! Of
course, it can’t go into the recyclables then, but it will be pretty
safe from dumpster divers, you betcha…
Margery