Yes, many people still do write paper checks.  These tips can help protect you against identity theft and keep your good credit rating.

1) DO NOT PUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) or DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER ON YOUR CHECKS.  Yes, this warning has been around for a while, but some people still do it.  If you have boxes of unused checks with the SSN printed on it, shred them and buy new ones.  The few dollars you'll pay for new checks is nothing compared with the time and expense of dealing with identity theft.

2) Do not put your full name on the checks you order.  By using your first initial and last name, your signature can not be easily forged as potential thieves don't know what your full name is.

3) If you have a post office or other off-site mailbox, put that address on your checks so that thieves won't know where you live.

4) When you order new checks, have them delivered to the bank, not to your house.  Boxes of brand new checks sitting in an unlocked mailbox are a treat for identity thieves.

5) Install a locked mailbox at your residence to deter mail theft. Or use a post office box or a commercial mailbox service. When you are away from home for an extended time, have your mail held at the Post Office, or ask a trusted neighbor to pick it up.

6) Do NOT mail your bills in an unsecured mailbox or leave them with the receptionist at work.  The little red flag up in front of your house is a signal that there might be some good financial information inside the mailbox.  Use an official blue post office mailbox or other secure, locked mail receptacle, preferably inside the post office, for sending off your mail that has checks in it.

7) Use a gel pen for writing checks. Experts say that gel ink contains tiny particles of color that are trapped in the paper, making check washing more difficult .

8 ) Do not write the entire account number on your check.  For sixteen digit credit card payments, you can write "1234—-5678—-.  The company getting your payment will have enough information with your last name and half of the account numbers to know who the account belongs to.

9) Store canceled checks in a safe place.  They can reveal a lot of personal information, including account numbers, phone number and driver's license number. If you rent a storage locker, take extra precautions when storing cancelled checks, tax return information, and other sensitive financial information, as storage lockers are popular targets for robbers.

10) Don't carry your checkbook with you unless you plan to use it.  Or just take one check with you and attach a post-it note to record the amount for later transfer to your check register.  Losing your purse with a checkbook in it or having it taken from your vehicle can create tremendouse problems later.  Keep it locked up in a safe place at home. 

11) Visit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse for more information on protecting yourself and reducing the risk of fraud.  You can also check your ID Score at no cost here.  This score provides a quick assessment of your risk of identity theft.

For professional assistance in developing your Personal Credit Building Plan to get, and keep, better credit scores, contact us today.  We work with people across the country to correct their credit reports and grow their scores.