How to React to a Stolen or Lost Wallet
If your wallet is lost or stolen, don't panic, but do act quickly to safeguard your bank and credit card accounts and your identity.
Instructions
- Step 1: Make a list of the wallet’s contents Make a list of the contents of your wallet, as best as you can recall.
- Step 2: Notify the three major credit reporting agencies Call or go online to ask the three major credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your accounts and to send you a credit report.
- TIP: The three major credit reporting agencies are Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
- Step 3: Report loss of your driver’s license Report the loss of your driver’s license to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Step 4: Notify credit, debit, and ATM card issuers Notify issuers of any credit, debit, and ATM cards. Request replacement cards.
- TIP: Request written verification that these accounts have been closed, including time and date or verification number.
- Step 5: Contact the Social Security Office Contact the Social Security Office to get a new card if your card was in your wallet. Ask them to send you a Personal Earnings and Benefits Estimate Statement to look for any discrepancies.
- TIP: The Social Security Office requires that you wait until June of the following year (after your taxes have been paid) to request the statement.
- Step 6: Notify issuers of any other personalized cards Notify issuers of any other cards that display your name, or membership/identification number and ask for replacement cards. These include check-cashing, long-distance calling, store membership, and library cards.
- FACT: Did you know? It is estimated that as many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen each year.
You Will Need
- A list of your walletu2019s contents
- Your local law enforcement agency
- A computer with internet access
- The DMVu2019s phone number
- Your bank and credit card issuersu2019 contact information
- The Social Security Officeu2019s contact information
- Contact information for any other agency with your personal information