by Linda L Lawless MA LMFT LMHC
Around the Water Cooler – Risk Proofing my Life
This week I had a very big wake-up call regarding risk proofing my life. My car was broken into and my purse stolen. In my purse I carried way too much information about myself, i.e., Driver's License, Credit Cards (more than one), Check Books (more than one), Insurance cards, AAA card and much more.
After spending a high anxiety day trying to protect my bank assets, close credit cards, and get a temporary driver's license, I began to think of how I'm going to change my ways. I also began to think of other kinds of information I might have been carrying around in my car on any given day and how to protect myself, my life, and my clients information better.
I also spoke to (or it could be called whined to) many friends and colleagues and received some good advice about what to do.
I decided I would share some of these ideas in case any of you have gotten sloppy, like I had, after many years of feeling safe and not being aware of the folks out there who break out car windows and steal things.
First of all, here are the things I did:
- Make a police report.
- Call all my banks and put a hold on all dispersements and cancel all bank debit cards. I called them first since any money taken from my accounts probably could not be recovered.
- Call all the credit card companies of the cards I was carrying.
- Notify the library of a stolen card so books, or more, could not be stolen.
- Make a list of other identification cards and make calls.
- If you have keys in your purse, change the locks.
Within an hour the thief had made charges in 3 locations. The next day two checks were presented to the bank. Now I needed to notify the Credit Bureaus of Identity Theft and Fraud. Here are the numbers:
* Equifax (800) 525-6285
* Experian (888) 397-3742
* TransUnion (800) 680-7289
Here are the things I "should have done."
- NOT LEAVE MY PURSE IN THE CAR
- Make a copy of everything I carry in my purse on a monthly basis.
- Know the numbers on all the checks I carry.
- Have some kind of service that lists the cards I carry so I only have to make one phone call.
I was fortunate to not leave my i.phone, which had contact information, including client contacts although they were not identified as clients. I quickly put password protection on it so if it was stolen, no one would be able to use it or get information off of it. I also sometimes carry my laptop in the car, so I did the same to it. These both follow the guidelines of client info having to be behind 2 locks. If I were to carry paper client records, they would have to be in a locked briefcase. Consider this a heads up and remember there are folks who make a profession out of stealing valuables from cars.
What a Surprise
I’ve decided to start a new column called “What a Surprise” or“Uh huh.” Let me know which title you prefer, or offer a new one. This new column refers to things I read in the media and mumble to myself wondering why they spent all that money. These are usually findings that cost millions of dollars that we all know anyway. I just read one in today’s Wall Street Journal (9-5-07). Here’s a surprise for you. “Scholars Link Success of Firms to the Lives of CEOs.” What the article goes on to tell us is that, usually, when a CEO has suffered a loss, or has become enchanted with their wealth and is spending big bucks on houses or other luxury items, the company suffers. Apparently the business community believed CEOs were above being human and could stride through the loss of a child or spouse without missing a beat. Uh huh!
Of Interest
I put up Phase 2 of Practice Development Assessment for those of you who have had a practice for over a year. It's posted on the right of this article. Enjoy!
The new website www.ProfessionalPracticeInstitute is moving along. I have demystified online merchant accounts and now have a database of courses and programs offered to make it easier for folks to find the resources they need.
Resources
Here are some random resources I have run across this month that I thought were good enough to pass on to you:
Parent Coaching - http://www.academyforcoachingparents.com/ - I know some of you specialize in working with parents and families. I thought you would find this interesting.
Dual Relationships, Multiple Relationships and Boundary Decisions - http://www.kspope.com/site/multiple-relationships.php - This is a very interesting paper on the many facets of relationships we might have with our clients.
Music to Chill - http://www.cafecody.com - This is my first foray into web radio. This station is very interesting.
Global Transformation http://www.theglobalintelligencer.com/ - You probably already know I'm a futuristic kind of girl. I found this site very interesting. Resources
Ethics Codes & Practice Guidelines for Assessment, Therapy, Counseling, & Forensic Practice http://kspope.com/ethcodes/index.php This is a great website for professional resources, and they are all free.
Onward
Linda
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