Lost Wallet Tips

What to do if you lose your wallet

Reaching for your wallet and realizing it’s missing can bring on immediate feelings of panic. For good reason. The cash inside is likely the least of your worries, since many of us carry multiple credit/debit cards, driver’s license and health insurance cards.

Once you’ve exhausted all efforts to find your missing wallet, it’s time to take action. Stick close to your phone, because you’ve got several calls to make!

  1. Your first call should be to your bank to cancel your debit card and get a new one. Though it’s a pain to have to wait for a new one to be issued, it’s better than a crook going on a shopping spree on your dime.
  2. Do the same thing with all your credit cards. Tell the Customer Service Representative the situation and they’ll note it on the account. They’ll close your cards and issue you new ones.
  3. Call the police. Even if you don’t think your wallet is stolen, it could end up in the hands of a criminal. This way, the police have record of you reporting it missing, in the event of identity theft.
  4. Freeze your credit. This protects you from becoming the victim of a thief trying to take out a loan or open a credit card in your name. To do this, contact each of the three credit bureaus; Experian, Equifax and Transunion.
  5. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to begin the process of replacing your driver’s license.
  6. Call either your Human Resources Department or your Medical Insurance Company and let them know that your insurance cards are missing. They will be able to issue you new copies.
  7. Consider purchasing ID Theft Protection, if you don’t already have it. Many companies, including Pennian Bank, offer a service that will monitor your identity (social security number, email, address, accounts) and alert you to suspicious activity. You pay a monthly fee for this type of service.

Though it’s inconvenient, taking these steps will help ensure that a crook isn’t taking advantage of your personal information!

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