What To Do When Your Purse or Wallet Is Stolen

If you are ever in the unfortunate situation of having your purse or wallet stolen, follow these steps to protect your personal information and identity.

1. Cancel your credit and debit cards.   Call your card companies and get new cards with new account numbers. For UW Credit Union debit and credit cards, view a list of phone numbers on our website. You can even cancel your debit card through Web Branch. If your checkbook was stolen, put stop payments on any outstanding checks and close your account. Monitor your accounts for activity that isn’t yours, and report them immediately.
2. File a police report.   Your card companies, financial institution and insurance company may require proof of the crime. It also becomes essential if you become a victim of identity theft.
3. If you've become a victim of identity theft, file a report with the three major credit reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Visit ftc.gov for more information and steps to follow. You can put a fraud alert on your account. This requires creditors to verify your identity before approving any new credit. They will call you when new credit is open. You can also do a credit freeze, which "freezes" your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts with your name. You should also monitor your credit report. Get a free credit report at annualcreditreport.com and use My Credit Score, available through Web Branch.
4. Change the locks on your home and car. If your keys are stolen, don't give thieves even more access to your personal property.
5. Get a new driver's license.   Report any other miscellaneous cards stolen, such as health insurance cards. If your Social Security number was in your wallet, contact your local Social Security Administration office or call 800-722-1213 for assistance.

Before Your Purse/Wallet is Stolen

• Make copies of the front and backs of the cards you keep in your wallet. This way, if you need to cancel them, all the information you need is in one place.
• Limit what you carry with you.
• Don't carry your Social Security number with you.
• Don't carry account information or passwords with you.

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