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What to do if your wallet is lost?

Since it is very easy to steal identity in the USA - most vendors ask you only for the SSN...

Since it is very easy to steal identity in the USA - most vendors ask you only for the SSN and your date of birth, if your wallet is lost you can get into some trouble. Here’s from an email I got.

In case you lose your wallet/purse -- two important ideas!!

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc., so you will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call to cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

Here’s what is perhaps most important once your wallet/purse has been stolen: Call the three national credit reporting organizations and the Social Security Administration fraud line immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. A fraud alert lets any company that checks your credit know your information was stolen. They will then have to contact you by phone to authorize any new requests for credit.

The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285;
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742;
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

By way of example: an attorney whose wallet was stolen did not place a fraud alert until nearly two weeks after the theft. By that time, all the damage had been done. The thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change driving record information online, and more.

Finally, file a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen. This will prove to credit providers that you were diligent, and it is a first step towards any future investigation.

  1. I came to your site looking for info about dealing with my stolen wallet. (Which was found in a dumpster at our local mall the next day - most credit cards were in place as were important ID's, but of course everything was compromised. Anyway, thank you for your site's assistance...but especially thank your wife, mother, and grandmother for the super sounding Indian recipes! I have booked marked them in my own cookbook.

    Posted by: Cee Cee Rutland on November 21, 2002 08:39 AM
  2. excellent

    Posted by: ARBabu on February 11, 2003 10:34 PM
  3. Phil Windley has some preventive measures to reduce chances of identity theft.

    http://www.windley.com/2003/04/09.html#a541

    Posted by: Babu on April 10, 2003 06:37 AM
  4. This post helped me to no end. I had my wallet stolen AT work. I promptly looked up what to do on the net, came across here and I wish to personally thank you for posting this. That night someone tried to use my cards and name to get products. And the authorities and offices contated me that it was in use. They are still looking to find this person. The sad thing is I still work with this person, but have no idea out of 1000 people here who it is. But if it happens again, I'm more than prepared.

    Posted by: Stefan Glazer on August 5, 2003 07:01 PM
  5. my wallet has just been stolen and i was wondering if u can cancel atm cards?

    Posted by: WIliam on September 26, 2003 06:15 PM
  6. xholtiti gxqru.

    Posted by: Nathaniel on July 28, 2004 02:13 AM
  7. thanks for this helpful info. I was wondering what I should do now that my wallet has been stolen.

    Posted by: Renee on September 12, 2004 12:37 AM
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