Los Angeles Times consumer columnist David Lazarus wrote about a recent brush with identity theft after someone stole his cash, driver’s license and credit cards from a locked gym locker.

What was so startling about this story was the cool precision with which the thief set about to use the card ⎯ about 30 minutes after it was taken. The thief quickly hit two Toys R Us stores, spending hundreds of dollars at each outlet and another $1,350 at a Best Buy before returning to the same Best Buy for an additional $1,298 purchase. The thief’s next stop was Target, where, thankfully, attempted credit card transactions were declined.

Lazarus notes that cashiers are supposed to compare the signature on the credit card transaction with the signature on the back of the card. That one simple step by an alert employee could’ve prevented the theft. But do you remember when a store clerk actually took the time to check your signature against your card? They just don’t bother anymore.

If you purchase anything with a credit card in the next few days, make a point to see whether the cashier checks your signature, then share your findings with us, please.