Lost Wallet

This past weekend, Mary and I took Mallory to the movies. I wore a hooded sweatshirt instead of a coat. I put my wallet in my front pocket. I realized after getting home, I didn't have my wallet anymore. I quickly contacted the movie theater and they took my information and would contact me if they found it. I too went to look for it on my own, but with no luck. I searched the parking lot and re-traced my steps walking the theater as well as my steps all the way to my vehicle. Nothing. I contacted the Police Department and made a report. Then, I spent over an hour contacting my Bank and Credit Card companies placing a 48 "hold" on all of the accounts hoping the wallet would be found or returned. As of today, it has not been found or returned. I closed out one Bank Account transferring my funds to another Bank where I had a savings account and closed a Credit Card I hadn't used in over a year. The few cards remaining have been re-ordered and I even contacted the credit bureau making sure a "fraud alert" was placed on my account.

It's been a bit of a stress and I'm still hopeful that the wallet will show up. I'd love more than anything to find out I didn't lose it at the movie, but instead find it at home in Mallory's toy box or under her bed or something like that. But I'm pretty sure it was 'lost' at the movies.

Here are some steps you should take if you lose your wallet or purse to ovoid Identity Theft.

Source: FDIC Money Smart Education Program:

File a police report.

Your bank and credit reporting agencies will need a copy of this report and its case number. Make sure to explain to the police officer:

•When you first noticed your wallet missing;

•Where you think it was lost or stolen;

•The types of currency and information that were in it.

Notify your bank.

•Provide a copy of the police report and case number.

•You may need to close your accounts and move your funds to new ones.

•Ask your bank to contact the major check verification companies. They need to notify stores not to accept any further checks from your account.

•Cancel your ATM. Get a new one and set it up with a new PIN.

Cancel all of your credit cards immediately.

Your credit card companies will send you a new credit card with a new credit card number. They may also ask you about recent transactions to determine if they are yours.

Notify the three major credit reporting agencies:

•Equifax – 1-800-525-6285

•TransUnion – 1-800-680-7289

•Experian – 1-888-397-3742

When I contacted Equifax, the automated message said they automatically contact they other two agencies. But I decided to play it safe and called the others anyway just to be sure!

For each of these agencies, ask for the fraud or security department. Ask them to put a fraud alert on your credit report.

Good luck and I hope you don't have to go through this. I only hope I caught it in time and still hold out hope someone will find my wallet and turn it in giving me a late Christmas miracle or early New Year's present.