Wallet stolen what should I do?

[scorpio1980]

My wallet was stolen tonight. I had my license, credit cards, debit card, social security card, and possibly an old folded up birth certificate. I think I took the birth certificate out before, but want to mention it just encase. Yes I know that the social security card in my wallet was a bad idea, but hindsight is 20/20.

I have so much anxiety over this. I want to do everything I can to stop any use of my identity at all. I have learned my lesson, and will never keep much in my wallet any more. I believe they were just druggies, because they stole the change I had in my center console. If they are just druggies they probably aren't interested in my identity, just money. I just want to protect myself in the small chance they may try to use my social or possible birth certificate.

So far I have:
-called 2 of the 3 card companies
-made a police report
-contacted a credit agency for a temp 90 day fraud alert. It said they would contact the other 2 and inform them as well.

What else should I do? Has anyone else been through this. Thank you for your help.

[Clint Cora]

Always have an additional credit card (from a separate account) stored at home that you never carry around. This extra card is for times just like these when you lose your active ones. This way, at least you still have access to the use of a credit card while your stolen ones are in the process of being cancelled and replaced by the companies.

Also, maybe change where you carry your wallet from now on. I usually keep them in my front pocket (not back pocket) in pants or an inside pocket of suit jackets. This will make it harder for people trying to lift wallets in crowds too.

[chrisrushton]

cancel your cards and inform the police.

then order new cards

that's pretty much all you can do. it sucks when that happens but give it a eek, maybe two and everything will be back to normal.

[SnerpGoodWord]

One thing to consider is that the banks that issued your cards or the parent company behind the card (Visa, etc) may have specific fraud prevention/identity theft services you can take advantage of. Your bank branch or credit union may as well.

[scorpio1980]

So should I be worried after I take the steps to change everything, and I may freeze my credit?

[wstein]

-Go to your bank and get new temp ATM cards, NOTE the temp card is not exactly the same as the replacement
-If you have automatic payments from your/to credit card, remember to change them (after you get real replacements)
-check credit cards for fraudulent activity between time stolen and time canceled
-get replacement heath insurance card
-get new insurance cards
-get new AAA card
-get new video rental card

[scorpio1980]

Originally Posted by wstein

-Go to your bank and get new temp ATM cards, NOTE the temp card is not exactly the same as the replacement
-If you have automatic payments from your/to credit card, remember to change them (after you get real replacements)
-check credit cards for fraudulent activity between time stolen and time canceled
-get replacement heath insurance card
-get new insurance cards
-get new AAA card
-get new video rental card

Thanks. I have done all that, and froze my credit. I also called the DMV, and am calling social security tomorrow.

[scorpio1980]

Wallet found with everything inside. Cops said it was in a field in the country.

[CoolBee]

Great news Scorpio.

I lost my handbag (US = "purse") a few years ago which had all my worldly goods in it including travel tickets to my home city for Christmas and cash I had taken out to give as gifts to siblings (we're always preferred cash gifts in my family!) plus house keys, PLUS I was holding the pooled money for the drinks for the night (commonly referred to as 'the whip' in the UK - gave the police some fun as I in a very upset and rather drunk state said 'and it had the whip in it' and they were asking me to describe 'the whip' before realising it wasn't an exotic cat 'o nine tails or anything LOL.
Anyway, bag was found in the street during the night by someone and she called my home and left a message with a flatmate, and delivered it to my office the next day all intact.

PS I agree with Clint - I have more than one current account, credit cards etc just in case!