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Lost Wallet, What To Do?

Anytime you lose your purse or wallet it opens the door for identity thieves to all the necessary information about you that they need to take advantage of your credit rating.  From here they can easily sell off your personal information to other thieves online or start creating fraudulent accounts in your name and taking the property purchased on your credit and disappearing.  This happens every day.

If you have lost your wallet or purse, this is what to do

1. Phone your bank and credit card companies to let them know immediately.

Ask to have your account numbers changed as a security precaution.

  • They should provide you with new account numbers and transfer your credit limits and history to these new account numbers.  If your lender is unwilling to do this, find a new one.

2. File a Police report

  • Do not miss this! If fraud takes place this is vital!
  • Store a copy of the police report with you.

3. Put a fraud alert on your account with all 3 of the credit agencies.

  • Experian PO Box 9595, Allen, TX 75013-9595 Tel: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
  • Equifax PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Tel: 800-525-6285
  • Trans Union PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 Tel: 800-680-7289
  • Fraud alerts requires creditors to verify ID before approving credit

4. Contact your lenders fraud department

5. Get a copy of your credit report ASAP

  • Order from Annual Credit Report the only government mandated free service.
  • Look for and investigate any suspicious activity.

6. Don’t forget to report your driver’s license lost and replace it at the DMV.

7. If you lost any keys you should change the locks that they match quickly.

8. Make an inventory list of what exactly you recall being inside the wallet/purse.

 

9. Signup with an ID Theft Protection Service

Tips to help protect you and limit your liability

  • Only carry what you absolutely need in your wallet or purse.
  • Photocopy all your credit cards front and back so you can easily reference the information if needed later.
  • Do not carry your social security card around with you.
  • Never write down any passwords and store them in your purse or wallet.