<p>DS just called me, 18 year old on a work related trip. His wallet was stolen. He cancelled his debit and credit card. I cancelled the credit card he was carrying that was in my name. I just got online and made an appointment for him to go to DMV and replace his driver’s license.
What am I not thinking of?<br>
We live in a small safe town and I have never had my wallet lost or stolen. I have misplaced it in grocery carts, and at restaurants and it was always returned to me. Just the other day I went to the ATM and it popped out someone else’s card. Turns out it was the card of a neighbor. I stopped at his house on my way home and dropped it off. He hadn’t even realized it was gone.</p>
<p>You might want to make sure his Social Security card wasn’t in his wallet. It may seem like common sense but an 18 y/o out on their own may not realize how foolish it could be to have a SS Card in his wallet instead of a safe place back home.</p>
<p>Cards…thanks. I am not sure about his social. I will definitely check with him on that one…</p>
<p>My son’s wallet was stolen and he called to ask me how to “stop” his Social Security number! :eek:</p>
<p>Just in case someone does have his SSN, you may want to put a “hold” on the three major credit rating companies (I forget their names) to protect against identity theft. These “holds” mean that the companies should check directly with him before issuing credit.</p>
<p>My S had his wallet “stolen” last Fall at his college only to find it 6 months later stuck way down between the cushions of his truck seat! When it was “stolen”, he did all the things you have mentioned (canceled Credit/debit cards). I did have to mail him both his original birth certificate and his Social Security card in order for him to get a new driver’s license. So be sure to check with your DMV on what documents are required to replace the license.</p>
<p>Did he have his insurance card in there? If so, he should get a new one. How about a AAA card?</p>
<p>Interesting…I just got this in my email from a friend who didn’t know about the kid’s wallet. </p>
<p>Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer iit someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate Attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.</p>
<pre><code> 1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “PHOTO ID REQUIRED.”
2.. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card Accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3.. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home Phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.
4.. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to Call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a Photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
</code></pre>
<p>Unfortunately, I, an attorney , have firsthand knowledge because my Wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(S) ordered an Expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had A credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number From DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:</p>
<pre><code> 5… We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card Numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
6.. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit Providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an Investigation (if there ever is one).
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<p>But here’s what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)</p>
<pre><code> 7… Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations Immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over The Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your Credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by Phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the Credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped th em dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 800-6807289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):800-269-0271
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<p>My notes here: I called Equifax and there machine says that they automatically contact the other two.</p>
<p>ebeeeee, This is a very handy email. Thanks for posting it. I am sorry that this has happened. My son lost his wallet at school. I got a phone call at 3am! I knew it was an emergency, but it was only his wallet, which immediately put things into perspective for me. An honest student found it, and sent an email to my son. Everything and every last dime was returned to him.</p>
<p>In our state, you can get a replacement DL online (print out the temporary, while waiting for them to send the new). You probably checked this since you made the appt online. But if not, check - could save one of the many hassles he/you will be experiencing.</p>
<p>Did he file a police report? He should.</p>
<p>Just a bump up…my D’s wallet was just stolen today in Austria…two credit cards, two bank cards, thank heavens they did not take the passports (D & GD) and the cell phone. I reached the banks…one credit card and one bank card will get to me tomorrow and we are headed there Thursday. Someone had already tried to withdraw cash on a credit card…but it had been blocked. I called Equifax # to put alert on her identity… Thanks for this site…I had bookmarked the thread…little did I know!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the comment re: the Social Security card. I have carried mine in my wallet for about 40 years without thinking about it.</p>
<p>It is now in an office file.</p>
<p>Also notify that post office that not to accept any change of address or mail holds for your address. This is a complicated scam that involves diverting new (unauthorized) credit cards to some other address. I know it seems outrageous, but it happened to my sister.</p>
<p>lorelei
glad it was useful. One other tip I tell everyone is that you should keep a copy of the front page of your passport at home or with someone in your office so that if your passport is stolen you can make a phone call and have your passport number and other information handy. It will make getting a replacement while you are abroad much easier.<br>
Glad that they did not have the passports with them.</p>
<p>ebeeeee – sorry to hear about your S’s experience.</p>
<p>Ebeee,
Your info valuable. I copied it to Word. One hopes for the best, but its good to be prepared.</p>
<p>Lorelei, I am so sorry about your daughter’s wallet. 
It is hard to be far away and unable to be much help. I still remember the phone call I got from Chile when my daughter’s wallet was stolen. I was stuck in the checkout line at the grocery store, trying to hear the lousy reception on my cell phone…very frustrating. Luckily we were able to freeze the debit card and credit card, and she only lost some cash. Hope all works out okay wiht your daughter’s cards.</p>