If you're sending a check to a person or an institution that doesn't have a presence on the Net, make sure you can write an electronic check that the bank will print out and send via snail mail to the payee. If you have both savings and checking accounts, it's very handy to move money from one to another, or to transfer funds from one of the accounts to pay a credit card balance. It's nice to see how your checks will look before you order them online. This is a handy feature for those emergency cash withdrawals. Find out if your bank is a member of ATM networks such as Star or Cirrus, and how much it'll cost you to use ATMs at other banks.
Identity fraud is on the rise, and it is scary.
But there are several steps you can take to minimize your risk. First report the theft to the police and get a written copy of the police report for your records. Next, call the three main credit bureaus, ask them to put out a fraud alert and request a copy so you can check it for accuracy. You can also speak to an FTC counselor, and register an official complaint.