5. 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.
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand
knowledge beca use 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:
1. 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.
2. 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).
But here's what is perhaps most important of
all: (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the 3 national credit reporting
organizations immediately to place a fraud alert
on your name and Social Security 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 them dead in their
tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to
contact about your wallet, etc., has been
stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3 742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271