- Cancel your credit cards immediately. It is important to have the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those numbers where you can find them easily (DON’T KEEP THEM IN YOUR WALLET OR PURSE).
- Contact your bank if your checkbook or ATM card was stolen along with your wallet or purse.
- File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where the purse or wallet was stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation.
- The most important step you can take to protect yourself is to call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security Number. 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. They can reached at the following:
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line: 1-800-269-0271