- Reduce stress if your wallet is stolen!
One of the nicest things you can do to create a WOWplace anywhere, whether at work or at home, is to share valuable information with others as you receive it.
So, today it’s my turn: my dad shared some great information with me today regarding what to do if you lose your wallet, credit cards, etc. that I wanted to pass along. We all know what we should do, but here’s a little checklist to help us plan ahead, ensure we don’t miss a step, and react quickly if the need arises:
BEFORE your information is lost or stolen:
- Make copies of your driver’s license, credit cards, passport, social security card – and any other important documents (front and back) and store the copies in a safe place (not that safe place that you can never find again… but an easily remembered and accessible one)! This will create a record of all pertinent account and ID numbers and the phone numbers to call in case they’re lost or stolen.
- Don’t sign the back of your credit cards (and don’t leave this area blank). Instead, write “Photo ID required” and have them use your photo ID and signature to verify that it’s you signing the slip at the checkout station.
- Don’t put your Social Security number on your checks (you can always add it if needed).
If your information is lost or stolen:
- File a local police report immediately to show due diligence
- Contact your credit card companies to inform them of the lost or stolen number(s).
- Call the three credit reporting agencies to put a fraud alert on your account (I’ve listsed their numbers below). This way, if anyone tries to request credit in your name (including yourself, by the way), they must call you first to verify that it’s actually you requesting the credit.
- Inform the appropriate authorities pertaining to your driving record and driver’s license information.
- Call the Social Security Administration’s fraud line to inform them of the theft.
Pertinent phone numbers are below for your reference.
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 1
- Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289
- Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Let’s hope you never need to use this information… but it’s good to be prepared, just in case! If you have any other tips to help prevent or deal with this stressful situation, please share them!
