BankDirect Fraud Prevention
Getting Purse-onal
Psst...Want to know a secret? A lost or stolen wallet or purse is a gold mine of
information for a new kind of crook-the identity thief.
Identity thieves can use information found in your wallet or purse-from credit
cards, checks, your Social Security card, even health insurance cards-to
establish new accounts in your name. That could create an identity crisis that
can take months to detect, and even longer to unravel.
If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, the Federal Trade Commission suggests
that you:
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File a report with the police immediately. Get a copy in case your bank, credit
card company or insurance company needs proof of the crime.
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Cancel each credit and charge card. Get new cards with new account numbers. l
Call the fraud departments of the major credit reporting agencies: Equifax
(800) 525-6285; Experian (888) 397-3742; TransUnion (800) 680-7289; Ask them to
put a "fraud alert" on your account and add a "victim's statement" to your file
requesting that creditors contact you before opening new accounts in your name.
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Ask the credit bureaus for copies of your credit reports. Review your reports
carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in
your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. In a few
months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and
changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
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Report the loss to your bank if your wallet or purse contained bank account
information, including account numbers, ATM cards or checks. Cancel checking
and savings accounts and open new ones. Stop payments on outstanding checks.
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Get a new ATM card, account number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) or
password.
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Report your missing driver's license to the department of motor vehicles. If
your state uses your Social Security number as your driver's license number,
ask to substitute another number.
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Change the locks on your home and car if your keys were taken. Don't give an
identity thief access to even more personal property and information.