Identity Theft – What I learned From Losing My Wallet
There I was working out at the gym with some friends. We were having a great time socializing and getting “buff”. Little did I know that everything was about to change. We ended our workout and I went back to my locker, got my things to take a shower and secured the lock on my locker. After taking a quick shower, I came back and my lock is cut and my wallet gone.
Now what do I do? Who do I call first?
Believe it or not, this scenario or something similar is happening to thousands of people every day all around the world. What happens next depends on whether or not you have a plan in place to protect your identity.
Unfortunately there are people who make it their living preying on unsuspecting people, looking for every opportunity to steal their identity and either use it to make purchases, sell it for a quick buck or to commit crime.
So how do you put a plan in place to protect your identity?
Putting a plan in place is as simple as taking the time to think through what will happen if your identity is stolen and what you will need to do to restore it. Let’s go back to my story and review 5 ways to protect your identity if your wallet or purse is stolen:
1. When I went to the gym, I carried my wallet with me. Many times it is better to leave valuable thing locked securely in your car. However, you need to be careful and make sure you are not letting the identity thief know where you are leaving your valuables in your car. For example, many identity thieves sit in their car at shopping malls, stores, business, waiting for people who place their valuable possessions in their trunk or lean over and place it under their seat. Then they break in and steal them. If you are going to hide your valuables in your trunk or under your seat, do so BEFORE you reach your destination. You might also consider purchasing and installing a safe box or a gun safe in your car. You can purchase it at a gun store or click here for more details on how to purchase online
2. Don’t keep your Social Security card with you. Once an identity thief has access to your Social Security number, your name and possibly your address, the sky is the limit for them. There is no need to walk around with your Social Security card. Take the time to memorize the number if you don’t know it. And leave it locked securely at your home. You should also have a safe at home where you keep your important papers. You can purchase one from an office supply store, or home improvement store. or click here for more details on how to purchase online
3. Make a copy of the front and back of all ID cards, bank cards and credit cards that you have in your wallet or purse. Now days it’s as easy of taking a picture with your smart phone. However, you can also photocopy or scan the image. I like keeping digital copies of my information and having it readily available in case I need it. So my recommendation is that you take a picture or scan the images then place them in a Word or Excel document or any other type of document that will allow you to password protect it. Then you can store the document on Dropbox, Google Drive or any other system that will give you quick access. Click on the link for more details on Dropbox or Google Drive.
4. Keep a list of the phone numbers and account numbers of the credit cards, bank card or ID cards handy. If your identity is stolen, you want to be able to move quickly to freeze your accounts to minimize the harm that an identity thief can do. As stated above, I would put this information in a document that is password protected and that you have easy access to.
5. Don’t panic! There is no need to panic. You have a plan in place but you do need to act. Take a deep breath and start putting your plan into action.
- Contact the related companies and inform them that your identity was stolen. Use the document that you saved in steps 3 & 4 to get your account information and phone numbers.
- Contact the credit reporting agencies and place an initial fraud alert on your credit file.
Equifax (800) 525-6285
Experian (888) 397-3742
Trans Union (800) 680-7289
- File a complaint with the FTC. Click on link for more details http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert
- File a police report with your local police station
