Will You Be Lost If Your Cards Are Stolen?

by Maria Marsala

Summary:Don't let the thieves get the best of you. The resources in this article may help you protect your identification numbers and cards.

The feeling of being violated is a horrid feeling. Yet, if you've ever been robbed, lost your pocket books and/or credit cards, that's how you feel.

In the past few months, two people I know have been violated this way. Then recently, my bank gave me a form to complete that would provide them with a list of all my credit cards which they'll keep for me, should something happen to my current cards.

That got me thinking....

Why not put ALL my cards on one list? That would include my supermarket discount cards, charge cards, ATM cards, etc., etc., etc. So I created a form in Excel 2000 and my VA took my form and made it visually pleasant and useful. You can do the same!

Once you complete the form, print it and then double check the numbers against your cards again. It's pretty easy to make a typographical error - especially when you're typing numbers. Next, save the information to a diskette or CD. For security sake don't save the information on your computer and don't include your pin (personal identification number) on the form.

Finally, make a copy of your passport, visa/green card, birth certificate, drivers license and put them in a safe place. The cost of copying these items will more than be worth the price if you're ever robbed or loose these items yourself.

©2007 Maria Marsala, former Wall Street Fortune 200 executive, business strategist, author and speaker. As founder of Elevating Your Business, Maria helps business owners and independent service professionals work smarter and earn more. Learn more and receive free business tools at ElevatingYourBusiness.com

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