Lost or Stolen Wallet Protection
Losing your wallet can cause panic and an alarming amount of stress. Whether it's been lost, or stolen, there are important steps to quickly take to protect your personal data.
Important Steps to Protect Yourself
Contact Your Financial Institution
File a Report with Law Enforcement Authorities
Notify Credit Reporting Agencies
Be Prepared
Wallets often contain our most important and sensitive information, such as driver’s licenses, credit cards, and debit cards. Pick-pockets, purse snatchers, and other thieves who obtain financial and identification information can cause significant disruption and financial loss. Thieves can use stolen information to get credit and make expensive purchases, such as cell phone plans or high-priced electronics. So it’s crucial to be prepared and act fast to minimize much of the potential damage from a lost or stolen wallet.
Safeguarding Tips
To protect your information, follow these tips:
- Know What You Keep in Your Wallet: Make front-and-back photocopies of each credit card, your health insurance card, your driver’s license, and anything else you store in your wallet. This way, you will know exactly what was lost and have the important account numbers and phone numbers for each item. Keep these copies in a safe place.
- Report Theft Immediately: If you discover a theft, report it to the police right away.
- Notify Companies: Call all companies with whom you have accounts to notify them of the theft. A canceled credit card is useless to a criminal.
- Place a Fraud Alert: Contact the three national credit reporting agencies and the Social Security Administration to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. This ensures that any company checking your credit must contact you by phone for authorization before granting new credit. The contact numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration Fraud Line: 1-800-269-0271
Law Enforcement Agencies
If your wallet is stolen, you should report the theft to the Law Enforcement agency in that county or city.
Numbers for the local agencies are listed below:
- Chesterfield County Police: 804-748-1251
- City of Colonial Heights Police: 804-520-9331
- City of Hopewell Police: 804-541-2222
- City of Petersburg Police: 804-732-4222
- City of Richmond Police: 804-644-5100
- Hanover Sheriff’s Office: 804-365-6140
- Henrico County Police: 804-501-5000
- New Kent Sheriff’s Office: 804-966-9500
- Powhatan Sheriff’s Office: 804-598-5656
- Prince George Police: 804-733-2773
Stay Informed
Being prepared for the possibility of a lost or stolen wallet can save you time, money, and stress. By staying informed, following these safeguarding tips, and knowing whom to contact, you can minimize the impact of theft and protect your financial and personal information.
Additional Resources
Online Security Center
Simple resources and tips to ensure your safety and security while online.
Personal Information
Practical steps to take if you think you've given out personal information.
Annual Credit Report
Regularly reviewing your credit report is essential.
