Regarding the initials on your check:

Sure it’s a good idea. However I had my checks stolen (they had my name on them) and the signature CLEARLY did not match mine when the thiefs wrote one for several hundred dollars. I don’t trust ANY bank to look at my signature (or any store to look at my credit card signature/receipt) but I suppose every bit helps.

When I called the bank it went like this:

Me: “Yes, check #505 was stolen.”

Them: “You wrote it and it was cashed for $840”

Me: “Can I get a copy of the check? I know I didn’t sign it. Check the signature.”

Them: “Yep. That’s not your signature all right. I wonder how that got through?”

“but your bank will know how you sign your checks”

That might have been good advice 50 years ago, but banks nowadays only review a small percent of checks - usually high dollar checks only.

Re: initials on checks — I didn’t get the poster implying it’s a sure end to the possibility of all financial trouble in the world; I read it as one modest way to reduce your risk and limit your exposure.

While it may not be a steel-reinforced door, a latched screen door at least helps keep the mosquitoes away.

My ex had an experience very similar to Dave’s. The signature was—I must say candidly—clearly that of a crackhead or someone who passionately aspired to become one.

Also, the fact that the man claiming to be “Kim” was the filthy, 6 foot tall man captured on the video didn’t faze the bank a bit. Apparently people can sign your checks as Big Bird and as long as there’s a balance, they’ll happily give your money to whichever “you” stands on the other side of the counter. Crazy.

Regarding signatures: I recall seeing (via Slashdot, IIRC) a guy’s website, in which he told of his efforts to get someone to refuse to accept his credit cards because the signature he put on the receipt was very obviously different from the one on the card. He tried using different names, using his left hand, drawing pictures, etc. Very few, if any, store clerks, etc., paid any attnetion at all.

Regarding account numbers on the memo line: the credit card companpanies are the ones who suggested putting your acct. number there in the first place. Thanks, guys.

The Urban Legends Reference Pages has something to say about this advice.

It’s been many years ago, but I once handed a grocery clerk a check and then realized I’d forgotten to sign it at all. Curious about what would happen, I kept my mouth shut. It went right through.

While we’re on the subject of rediculous signatures that banks don’t care about there’s something that everyone must see: http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit/ This guy details how he went from signing receipts with squiggles to actually drawing stickmen and sticking pictures on them and banks still accpeted them, even when he signed his checks: “I stole this”.

-David,Ireland,15

David, That’s the guy I was thinking about. Makes you wonder what a signature is worth anymore.

Photocopy the contents of your wallet

What’s in your wallet, and what would happen if you lost your wallet?