Realizing your purse or wallet has been stolen is a traumatic experience. Most people carry very personal and confidential information with them. If this happens to you there are steps you should take immediately to reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft.
Retrace your Steps
If you believe you lost your purse or wallet retrace your steps. Search every area you were between the time you last remember having it until you realized it was missing. If you were in a public location, ask the customer service department or office if it was turned in.
Cancel your Cards
Cancel your credit and debit cards and request replacements. Your debit card is tied directly to your bank account so start there.
File a Police Report
Call or visit your local police station and file a police report. They may not be able to recover what was lost but you will have a record of the report to use later in the event your identity is stolen, or other types of fraud are committed using your name.
Freeze your Credit & Check your Credit Reports
One of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft is to freeze your credit.
Create an account at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and activate a credit freeze. It takes just a few minutes, and you can temporarily unfreeze it if you need to apply for credit later. This prevents criminals from opening accounts in your name. You can also place a fraud alert on your credit, a fraud alert notifies creditors and lenders that someone may be trying to apply for credit fraudulently in your name.
You are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com to get your reports. Review your reports from all three because sometimes fraudulent activity is shown on one report and not another.
If you find anything suspicious, notify the credit bureaus.
Enable Fraud & Activity Alerts
Sign up for fraud and activity alerts at your bank, credit card company and other financial institutions. Then when any unusual activity happens you will receive a notification.
Update Autopay Accounts
Log into any online accounts that you have set up to use autopay, remove the lost or stolen credit and debit card information and update it with the new cards. Change your passwords while you are there.
Change your Locks
If your house and car keys were in your bag when it was stolen the thief has not only your keys but also your name and address which gives them full access to your home and vehicle. Change your locks and get replacement car keys.
Monitor your Accounts
You should already be regularly monitoring your online accounts but be more vigilant if you have been the victim of theft. Pay close attention to your bank accounts, credit card accounts and other financial accounts so you are aware of any unusual activity. Carefully review your monthly statements.
Replace What Has Been Lost
Social Security Card
You should never carry your Social Security Card with you, instead it should be left at home locked in a fireproof safe or other secure location. In the event your card is stolen contact the Social Security Administration immediately to report the loss and request a replacement card. https://www.ssa.gov/
The Social Security Administration will issue a replacement card but not a new SSN. They typically only issue new numbers to people who have proven to them that their number was used by someone else to commit identity theft. You can ask and provide them with a copy of the police report but there is no guarantee you will be issued a new number. https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-02220#:~:text=We%20can%20assign%20a%20different,or%20using%20the%20same%20number.
Driver’s License
Contact the DMV to report the loss and apply for a new driver’s license.
Do this immediately, if someone has your driver’s license they can impersonate you, open accounts and commit crimes in your name. Each state has their own rules and regulations, some allow you to do this online, others require you do it in person.
Medicare & Health Insurance Cards
If your original Medicare card is lost or stolen, you can replace it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227). You can also order or print a replacement card by logging into your medicare.gov account.
If you get Medicare health or drug benefits from a Medicare Advantage Plan, such as an HMO, PPO, or PDP, call your plan to get your card replaced.
You can also get a replacement card by logging into your Social Security account.
Once you’re logged in, select the “Replace your Medicare card” link under the Medicare Enrollment Detail section. Then select “Mail my replacement Medicare Card.”
Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days at the address on file with Social Security. When you request your replacement card, be sure to check your mailing address that’s in your personal Social Security account and make any necessary updates.
You can call by phone for a replacement, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Or in person at your local Social Security Office.
A thief can use your Medicare number to commit fraud, so it is important to notify Medicare right away. Then keep an eye on your account for any charges or services you don’t recognize.
Call your health insurance company to report your card lost or stolen. A representative will guide you through the process of reporting the loss and obtaining a new card. Then check your explanation of benefits summaries regularly for fraudulent charges.
Other Cards
Contact the issuer of any other cards you have lost, this can include loyalty cards, membership cards and travel rewards cards.
How to Stay Safe
There are steps you can take before something bad happens to minimize the loss or prevent it all together.
Cash
There is rarely a reason to carry significant amounts of cash. Carry just what you would need in the event of an emergency.
Checkbook
Never carry your checkbook or blank checks in your purse or wallet. Keep your checkbook at home in a secure location.
Carry Only What You Need
Most people carry too much private information with them. Carry only what is necessary. If you are going out take just what you need for that trip, for example your driver’s license and one credit card. If you don’t have a medical appointment don’t take your Medicare or insurance card. You should never carry your Social Security Card with you.
Choose the Right Bag
Consider a crossbody anti-theft purse with zipper locks or a hidden waist wallet or travel wallet, a travel wallet is a shoulder holster that you can wear under a jacket or shirt. Never carry anything in your back pocket. Clutch bags, over the shoulder bags and backpacks are too easy to grab. Be concerned about security, not fashion when choosing a purse or wallet.
Never Leave Your Bag Unattended
Don’t hang your bag over a chair in a restaurant, or put it in the shopping cart, don’t put it down in any public setting. Your purse should be attached to you at all times. Laying it down for just a minute can lead to theft.
Make a List
Make a list of everything you carry in your purse or wallet. Take a picture, front and back of every card you carry, this includes your driver’s license, debit and credit cards, insurance cards, identification cards and loyalty cards. Then if something happens, you know exactly who to contact and how to contact them. Make a list of anything else of value you carry. You can keep the photos of your cards in a password protected folder on your phone, you will easily be able to access the information without carrying the cards with you. Your phone should be secured with a password, fingerprint scan or facial recognition so that no one can access the information stored on it. Never leave your phone unattended.
Use a Digital Wallet
A digital wallet is a smartphone app that securely stores your credit card information. You can use it to pay for services, instead of carrying your credit card with you. Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet are the three most popular wallets. Once the wallet is installed you simply add your credit cards and then use the tap-to-pay option to pay for your purchase. The digital wallets replace your card information with a randomized identifier, so your card information is never visible, and each requires a code to open the app, this makes it a very secure way to pay.
Designate a Place to Keep your Purse & Wallet
Choose a secure location in your home to keep your purse and wallet. This should be a place that guests and visitors do not have access to. By keeping it in the same place you will always know exactly where to find it.
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