Security Freeze vs. Fraud Alert for Stolen Wallet

HImom
Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:35:30 +0000

D had her wallet lost/stolen on Friday night in Los Angeles. We’re currently debating whether she should request a fraud alert vs. a security freeze. Her wallet contained a credit card (we cancelled), a USC credit union debit card (also cancelled after great effort–offices closed over weekends & NO ONE answers), her driver’s license with HI address, her medical insurance card (which has a new number rather than the one that was on her card). Not quite sure what else was in the wallet but no SS number.

We’re trying to decide whether she should have a security freeze or fraud alert placed with the three credit bureaus. Her USC debit card was already used on Saturday to charge $15 from In & Out Burgers. S has since moved all the funds from her checking account to her savings account, where it SHOULD be safe.

Have been searching to figure out how to help advise her about all of this. www.privacy.ca.gov/res/docs/pdf/cis10securityfreeze.pdf

Does anyone have suggestions? She has filed a police report. I’ve asked her to amend it to include that someone used it for the $15 In & Out Burgers purchase without her authorization. Does that make her a victim of identity theft? Does someone have to actually apply for credit in her name for ID theft? I’m sorry, I’m fuzzy about all of this.

Thanks for any help. For anyone stuck in similar situation, I’d advise you to call the toll-free MasterCard (or Visa or AmEx) number when you just keep getting recordings from a credit union, bank, or elsewhere and can’t speak to a live person. I only figured it out 24-hours AFTER I went into the endless loop with the credit union’s menuing options. ICK!