Lost or Stolen - Identity Theft

The average person carries a wealth of personal information around with them everyday and may not even be aware of it.   A person's wallet or purse is convenient place for all kinds of information.   However, with that convenience comes the danger of losing your private information if your wallet or purse is stolen of lost.   Identity thieves can use information found in your wallet or purse-from credit cards, checks, your Social Security card, even health insurance cards-to establish new accounts in your name.

Please consider following these protective measures, if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen:

• File a police report right away.    Make a copy of the report for your records, as many financial institutions will request to see documentation of the loss or theft
• Cancel all credit cards.   Request new cards and account numbers from each company.
• Call the fraud departments of the major credit reporting agencies: Equifax (800) 525-6285; Experian (888) 397-3742; TransUnion (800) 680-7289; Ask them to put a "fraud alert" o­n your account and add a "victim's statement" to your file requesting that creditors contact you before opening new accounts in your name.
• Request and review your credit report to make sure no unauthorized charges were made nor any unauthorized accounts were opened.    After several months have passed, request new reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
• Report the loss to your bank if your wallet or purse contained account numbers, ATM cards or checks.   If you had bank account information in your wallet/purse, cancel checking and savings accounts and open new o­nes.
• Request a new ATM card, account number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password immediately
• Report your Driver's License as lost or stolen.   If your License number is your SSN, request a different number.
• Change the locks o­n your home and car if your keys were taken.

Losing a wallet or purse, or having either o­ne stolen, can be a terrible inconvenience, but it also can be dangerous.   The amount of personal information usually contained in these items can leave a person vulnerable to identity theft.   If your purse or wallet has been lost or stolen, please take the appropriate action to prevent identity theft and possible credit fraud.