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TIPS TO SAVE YOUR SANITY AND PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
Before your wallet/purse is lost or stolen (that means NOW):
Since you may someday have to cancel your credit cards, do you know which credit cards you have, what the account numbers are, and where to call to cancel them? To be prepared, make copies (front and back) of all cards and/or record the card number and the bank's phone number and save that information somewhere you can find it easily. While you're at it, take copies of the front and back of your driver's license and any other identification you will need to replace too.
If your wallet/purse is lost or stolen:
Cancel all cards immediately
Nothing new here, but if you followed the suggestion above, it will be much easier to do.
File a police report
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. This is extremely important and most people never think of doing it until they are advised that someone has made application for credit in their name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
Credit reporting organization numbers:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Helpful Web Sites www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.idtheftcenter.org
www.privacyrights.org
