Stolen Wallet Is A Gold Mine For Thieves!

A stolen wallet or purse is a thief’s dream. Now what?

• credit cards

• social security card

• driver’s license

• keys to your house, safety deposit box, mail box, etc.

• check book

Learn more ways to prevent identity theft.

The very first thing to do now, BEFORE anything happens to make you a victim, is make copies of all the personal information you carry in your wallet or purse.

Keep the copies in a safe place, preferably in a locked safe.

Tips To Do Now If Wallet/Purse Is Stolen

• Immediately file a police report. Make sure you keep a copy in a safe place.

• A police report will help convince creditors that you have been a victim of identity theft. The police report should be sent with the fraud affidavit you send to creditors.

• Notify the bank or other financial institutions to close the compromised accounts. This will limit your exposure.

• Call the credit bureaus and complete their identity theft affidavit to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports.

Experian: (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

• The fraud alert on your credit report will require the creditors to verify your identity, and the credit bureau will notify you of the inquires made about your credit.

  Go to credit freeze and credit card scams to learn more.

• Be sure to review your credit reports and dispute any information or charges that are not accurate.

While you go through the process above, make sure you document, document, document.

Don’t leave to chance all the conversations you have with police, credit bureaus, and credit card companies, etc.

• Information does not remain clear in a person’s mind for extended periods of time, especially under such chaotic conditions.

• Make sure you document the company, contact person, time, date, phone number and the conversation that took place.

REMEMBER: You need a current credit report number, no older than 90 days, (Equifax is 60 days), to file a dispute.

• If your checks were stolen, be sure the bank notifies the verification companies of the stolen checks. This will alert merchants of fraudulent checks.

• Check all checking and savings accounts for discrepancies.

• Notify the Department Of Motor Vehicles and place a lost/stolen warning on your file. Request a replacement driver’s license.

• Notify your local social security office.

See how vulnerable you are by taking the scam check quiz.

A stolen wallet or purse does not have to be the end of your identity. Educate yourself on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

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