Having a Lost Or Stolen Wallet stinks. There is nothing that we can say that could make you feel better about this.
Not to mention you will have to probably head over the DMV to get a new license. And we know that in itself is enough to push some people over the edge. Like most some of your most important things are in your wallet.
Credit cards, driver license, membership cards, school ID’s, and more. If these items fall into the wrong hands it could be devastating, not to mention these items would need to be replaced.
With this said, be sure your wallet is not just misplaced. We have heard of many instances where the person was in the replacement process only to find their wallet.
Replacing debt, credit, and ATM cards
Once you realize your wallet has been lost or stolen it is time to start contacting the following institutions. Before you do take one thing away from this section. DO NOT cancel these cards, but instead, report them lost or Stolen.
This will impact your credit score much differently if you say to cancel these cards. Do not cancel them, but explain how you have a lost or stolen wallet. Once this is in motion you will need to have new cards sent to you as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that if any accounts you had were on automatic debit or payment you need to alert those companies as soon as possible. You will not be able to pay them on time once your cards get changed.
Important contact information on major credit cards:
American Express: 1-800-528-4800
Visa: 1-800-847-2911
Discovery: 1-800-347-2683
MasterCard: 1-800-307-7309
Important debit card bank contact information
Call this issuer of the befit cards you have. Do not wait to report that your debit cards have been missing.
The below is the list of some of the bigger banks that issue debit cards. If your bank is not on this list simply google them for the customer service number.
Bank of America: 1-800-432-1000
Citibank: 1-800-950-5114
Wells Fargo: 1-800869-3557
Chase:1-800-935-9935
TD Bank: 1-888-751-9000
PNC Bank: 1-888-762-2265
It’s time to set up fraud alerts with national credit bureaus
A fraud alert will be your friend during a lost or stolen wallet time. Depending on what information was within your wallet o purse and who stole these items you could be in serious trouble with someone trying to open up other credit card lines of credit.
Identity theft and fraud run rampant and when your personal belongings fall into the wrong hands the risk of accounts opening in your name skyrocket.
Just contact one of the bureaus and then that bureau will have to alert the other two that they placed fraud alerts on your credit reports. Fraud alerts will be put in place for free for 90 days. Because of this creditors or lenders have to then verify your identity before they can open up any new loads in your name, same for a new credit card.
Experian: 1-800-3742
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Locks may need to be changed
Some people will keep a spare key in their wallet or purse. If this is the case you would want to change your locks to your house. Not only could the wrong person have a key but they will also have your address, this is a bad combination.
To avoid such problems and to keep the peace of mind it would be wise to change the locks to your house. Do not give a criminal an easy target to rob your house.
Get a new driver’s license
If your wallet is gone then there is a good chance your driver license is also gone. If so, you will need to replace this as soon as possible. Driving without a license can cause your more problems if you’re stooped by an officer.
Depending on what state you’re in you may or may not have to go in person to your local DMV office.
If you do have to take a trip to your local DMV office make sure to have the proper identification with you. If you’re not sure what to bring we highly suggest that you contact your local office to find out first before going.
Waiting in long lines to find out you can’t be helped because you don’t have proper identification is something you are going to want to avoid.
Write down a final list of what you had in your wallet
Try and make a list if you can of everything you had in your wallet and see if you have missed anything important. Most people carry important cards like health insurance cards and those will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Car insurance cards may also be part of this list, even though they should not be kept in your wallet. Those cards should stay in your glove compartment. Following this guide will help take some of the pain away when you have had a lost or stolen wallet.
