|
Lost - Stolen Wallet Help
What to do if your wallet is lost or stolen
When your wallet is lost or stolen you may feel stressed and
confused. You don't know who's using your credit cards, drivers
license,
and even the cash. While chances are not always good from recovering
your wallet intact, there are a few things you can do to minimize
problems further on:
- Cancel any credit and debit cards that were
in your wallet. The card issuer should be able to open a new
account for you and send
you a new card.
- If you have membership cards in your wallet (for
example, video rental store, local gym, library, etc.) contact
the issuer immediately
to cancel that account and open a new one for you.
- File a report
with the local police department immediately.
- Notify the major credit
bureaus and request them to put a fraud alert on your file.
This requires that you be notified if any inquires
are made on your file and prior to any credit being issued.
- Notify all your
financial institutions at which you have an account and place
a password or personal identification number (PIN)
on your accounts.
- If your Social Security card was in your wallet,
notify the Social Security Administration (1-800-269-0271)
that your Social Security
Card was stolen and they will flag your file.
- If you determine
that your Social Security Number and/or date of birth have
been used fraudulently, report the fraud to the Federal
Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, or file an online report
using their Identity Theft Complaint Input Form at www.ftc.gov.
- If
your driver’s license was stolen, when you apply for
a new license ask your motor vehicle department if you can have
a "generic" customer
number instead of your Social Security Number. This is now
offered by many states.
- Maintain a file of all the actions you take and
people you talk to, including dates, times and telephone
numbers, while you are
resolving this matter.
|
|
