Your ATM info

[blackZZR]

Just FYI. paying by check is just as bad if not worse than your ATM.

no it is not, there are laws protecting the checks that are not in effect for a ATM transaction.
Plus it requires forms of verification, such as showing ID. Most places hand the check back now after going through a telephone verification process with the bank. The amount of effort is worth it.
Here are few tips about checks however. do not have your Ph number printed on the check, it is used for verification so anyone who has it printed is asking for trouble. Instead just have minimal info printed on the check and answer the questions they ask, if info does not jive they refuse the check. Simple.
Remember that ATM style Identity theft i happening so much now it happens on a second by second basis, Forgery is now old hat and is seen so little they are kind of amazed when it happens. The common form is check washing and those checks are mainly stolen from your mailbox when you do not go to the post office to mail them.
A little effort is required no matter what you do, ATM , Check, or Credit Card. But the laws in place, checks are the safest means out there. Credit Cards are the second safest and ATM usage, which we use so much now as it is sooooooooooooo convenient is the most dangerous. It has become a way of life that many are not willing to change, and thieves depend on that. It is also one of the easiest ways to steal there is. Even a lot of forgers have switched over as it requires so little effort on the thieves part.
Paying by cash is the only way to avoid ID theft. but how many of us walk around with that kind of money anymore?

Remember, they stole my wifes ATM numbers and started emptying the account. Once that happens to you, you either get with the program or are a moron. I got with the program and researched it a lot.
things I learned
Never use a Atm card unless you want trouble
Mail bills at the post office
Never use any form of payment over the Net
Never put any account info on your computer and do not do banking online
Checks have the most laws to protect you out there
buy your gas on a Oil company CC, best protection

best thing I can say about paying cash is that you go to small locally owned businesses where the owner realizes the value of a cash transaction and deal with him. Remember CASH talks big time in not having to report income, pay fees to banks of CC companies, and pay taxes on it. I can get up to 25% off some purchases and commonly 10% and no tax by flashing cash and asking if they are willing to deal for it. Just a no tax transaction will save you close to 10% now days, that is significant, Plus...... No BigBrother tracking your purchasing habits.

[troyboy162]

Just FYI. paying by check is just as bad if not worse than your ATM.

i learned that one the hard way. in vermont you can still stick a bill with a check in your mail box and put the flag up. i had no clue when i moved to cali that the numbers on the bottom of the check were all a dirtbag needed to pay his electric bill. i got the money back though.

felt pretty dumb but id never had to think about that stuff before

[blackZZR]

i learned that one the hard way. in vermont you can still stick a bill with a check in your mail box and put the flag up. i had no clue when i moved to cali that the numbers on the bottom of the check were all a dirtbag needed to pay his electric bill. i got the money back though.

felt pretty dumb but id never had to think about that stuff before

As I said, mail bills at the post office.
It takes a small amount of effort to be safe.

A person stealing your bank account number to pay a electric bill is really a MORON. Think about it, how long till he gets caught, about one month at the longest as when you balance the account at the end of the month it shows up and his name and he lives at the address that is on the electrical bill account. I mean does mind fried on drugs sound right here? Tweakers and idiots like this are never going to stop, but foiling them by using a shredder, mailing at P.O. and a few other things does a long way.
ATM theft is so easy, number readers at ATMS, wireless receivers at Gas Stations, tellers on the lam. It is soooooooo easy it is the biggest form of crime out there and you feed it every day by using the ATM card.
Simple solution, Stop using it.