SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Your Wallet: A Loser's Manual

If your purse or wallet is lost or stolen:

Immediately file a police report and send copies of the report to your bank, credit card companies, and insurance company.

Cancel credit card and bank accounts and have new accounts opened with a new number.

Report lost or stolen credit cards to the three national credit reporting agencies in writing. (Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax.)

Establish a written record with the credit reporting agencies of the theft or loss of your cards.

You may add a "victim statement" to your records explaining the circumstances under which your cards were lost or stolen, which may protect your credit if fraudulent charges are made on your accounts.

You may also ask to be contacted before any new credit is granted in your name.

Preventive Measures

• If you're going on vacation take a list of the toll-free telephone numbers for your banking and credit card companies ­ not your card numbers
• Cancel any credit cards you don't really need or use.
• Never give out personal information (such as your Social Security number, credit card numbers or your address) over the telephone unless you initiate the call, and it's to a well-known and trusted outfit
• Don't just toss away those credit card applications you receive in the mail and don't intend to apply for; Shred them as best you can
• If you don't want to receive unsolicited credit card applications in the mail, by law you can demand that your name be removed from the marketing lists that credit bureaus sell to credit grantors looking for new customers. To "opt out" of these mailings, call any one of the following credit bureaus at these toll-free numbers specifically established for this purpose: Equifax at (800) 556-4711, Experian at (800) 353-0809, or Trans Union at either (800) 241-2858 or (800) 680-7293.
• Review your credit card bills and your checking account statements as soon as they arrive, to ensure that no fraudulent activity is taking place
• Make sure you get a statement from your creditors every month. If no statement arrives, that could be a sign that someo ne has changed your billing address for fraudulent purposes.
• Don't take out your wallet until you actually need it
• Don't forget your wallet before leaving a restaurant, store or any public place
• Never put your wallet down alongside a cash register, in a phone booth or even on top of your car
• Never set down your wallet unless your hand is attached to it.