Losing your wallet can be a disorienting experience but timely focus is required to replace drivers licenses or other IDs, cancel credit cards, freeze bank accounts, file police reports and scan credit reports for unusual activity.
After discovering wallets or purses are MIA, move fast to report missing debit cards to your bank. Typically, unauthorized charges are forgiven if missing cards are reported within two business days, while longer durations could result in financial liability. Banking websites will include an 800 number for reporting lost cards.
Immediately cancel lost credit cards. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act fraudulent purchases are forgiven if the card is reported stolen before thieves begin using it. If credit cards are reported stolen after unauthorized purchases occur the card holder is generally held responsible for the first $50.
If a checkbook was lost or stolen, contact your bank to have accounts frozen. Bank officials can review recent transactions to confirm validity. To fully eliminate future issues, close your current account and open a new one.
Visit online to replace a lost Colorado drivers license or ID card. The process includes visiting the nearest Division of Motor Vehicles location. Visit online to schedule an appointment at a local drivers license office. If out of state, mail a completed DR 2989 form to Colorado Department of Revenue/ Division of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 173345 Denver, CO 80217-3345.
Social security cards can be one of the most terrifying to lose. To replace it visit the U.S. Social Security website. Cards can be replaced if lost or stolen, however, the site requires another form of ID, which can include a drivers license.
Protecting your identity is a big concern after vital information is lost. One way to prevent that is to file a police report with your local agency. The Federal Trade Commission has created a notarized affidavit certifying an individual was victimized by fraudulent use of personal data. A police report needs to be filed prior to filling out the affidavit.
Additional steps include establishing fraud alerts with national credit bureaus Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Contact one of these agencies and they are required to contact the remaining groups to have fraud alerts added to your credit report.
