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I think we all know what happens when we assume something. In fairness, most companies do a lousy job of proofreading, if they proof at all.

Lesson one of proofreading is: Do it. If you wrote it, you shouldn’t be the one to do it. Your brain simply skips past the mistakes and substitutes the right word or letter. Get a pair (or two) of fresh eyes to review any important documents, files or marketing materials before they go out or to the printer.

But even if you have a great system with sign-offs and checks and balances, you can still get into trouble.

One of the biggest proofing blunders is making an assumption and not double-checking it.

Overzealous proofreading can create a catastrophe no different than doing a poor job or not doing it at all. Recently mail-order giant L.L. Bean barely averted disaster because it has a culture that puts great value on diligent proofreading. An employee was 100 percent certain (always be wary when you feel absolutely certain) that the toll-free number in the catalog proof was incorrect. It was listed as an 877 number, and the employee knew it was really supposed to be an 800 number. So, he changed it.

Yes, you guessed it. The number was correct as it originally appeared in the proof.

Had he not proudly mentioned his “catch” to a fellow employee, L.L. Bean would have had about 500,000 catalogs in its recycle bin. Ouch.

Whenever you proof phone numbers, it’s always a good idea to take the extra second or two and actually dial the number. Remember the rule – before you correct, check.