Lost/Stolen Personal Identification

While on vacation this Memorial Day Weekend or sometime in the near future, your experiences can quickly turn sour with the realization that you no longer have your personal identification. Easily minimize the emotional trauma accompanying a lost or stolen ID by taking the following precautionary steps prior to your trip.

ID Photocopy
In advance of your travels, make a photocopy of your ID (driver’s license, passport, and/or birth certificate) and travel with this copy separate of where you would keep your ID. For example, keep a copy of your ID in your bag while you hold onto your wallet and ID.

ID Email Attachment
A better safety measure would be to scan a copy of your ID and then email the attachment to your personal email address. In the event that you should find yourself without an ID during your travels, you can simply go to any computer with internet access and a printer to retrieve your ID printout.

File a Police Report and/or Contact Nearest US Embassy
In addition to preparing a copy of your ID, immediately file and obtain a copy of a police report. The police report will serve as a timestamp and provide verification of your claim should you need to provide any evidence. Furthermore, while traveling abroad, the US Embassy can provide you with a replacement passport or a conditional passport with supporting documentation.

Although there are no steadfast rules provided by TSA or the airline companies with regards to traveling without an ID, your chances of getting through airport security and boarding your return flight will be greatly increased with a copy of your ID and a police report. Safe travels! Until next time…

How to Write a Check

Using a check to pay for a product purchased or service rendered is just one of the many conveniences of a checking account holder. When you open a checking account, you may not know how to write out a check but knowing how to correctly and accurately write a check can eliminate confusion and, more importantly, prevent fraud. Below is an example of how a check is to be written out:

Illustration of a Typical Bank Check

Contents of a Bank Check

Illustration Footnote:

In Green (Provided by the Account Holder’s Bank)

1. Name of checking account holder
2. Check number for record keeping
3. Account holder’s bank
4. Routing number – Identifies the bank processing the check using MICR*

5. Bank account number – Identifies where funds are to be withdrawn from

* MICR = Magnetic Image Character Recognition codes

In Red (Portion of the Check to Be Completed)

1. Date the check was written

2. Person/company check is written to and is to be paid

3a. Amount Paid (Numerical - $)

3b. Amount Paid (Written - Dollars)

4. Reason for Writing the Check – Note to self or note of payment account number

5. Account Holder Signature – Permissions money to be withdrawn from account

Completed Bank Check

After reviewing the above and with some practice, you will soon have the confidence to write out a check with ease. Next time when rent is due, you just might find convenience in paying your landlord with a single check.

Until next time…