What To Do If You Lose Your Wallet or Purse

Take these steps immediately:

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Notify the three major credit reporting agencies:

• Equifax – 1-800-525-6285
• TransUnion – 1-800-680-7289
• Experian – 1-888-397-3742

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

5. A few weeks after the incident, get a free copy of your credit report to determine if fraudulent transactions have been made in your name.

Source: FDIC Money Smart Education Program

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