GOOD ADVICE FOR LOST WALLETS, PURSES, ETC.

[Guest guest]

I thought this was good information to share.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your

name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece)

have first hand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and

within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone

package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy

a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving

record information online, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this

happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel

your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers

and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you

can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you

WON'T need at that point)! On a personal note, I remember losing a MC and

until I got the toll free number from information, etc. I was a wreck.

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).

But here's what is perhaps most important: I never ever thought to do

this. Call the Three national credit reporting organizations immediately

to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never heard of doing

that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for

credit was made over the Internet in my 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.

By the time I was advised to do this - almost 2 weeks after the theft all

the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks

initiated by the thieves' Purchases, none of which I knew about before

placing the alert).

Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my

wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have

stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are:

Equifax 1-800 525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW) 1-

TransUnion 1-

Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at

1-

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