We all know that horrible feeling: you reach for money to pay for your coffee, only to find your wallet isn’t there.

First of all, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to protect yourself. If your wallet is truly gone and not just between the couch cushions, the Federal Trade Commission suggests you do the following:

1. File a report with the police. Get copies for your financial institution, credit card company, insurance company, etc.
2. Cancel all your credit cards and request new ones with new numbers.
3. Report your missing cards to Equifax (800.525.6285), Experian/TRW (800.680.7289) and TransUnion (800.422.4879).
4. Report the missing wallet to your bank or credit union. You may want to get new checking and savings accounts and stop payment on outstanding checks.
5. Get a new debit/ATM card.
6. Call utility companies to warn them that an identity thief might try to establish service in your name.
7. Report your driver’s license to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Taking these steps promptly can reduce your risk of identity theft. You can find more information on ID theft at the Identity Theft Resource Center, at idtheftcenter.org.

Filed under: Captain Safety! by admin