What Do I Do if I Lose My Wallet?
If you have lost your wallet or believe it may have been stolen, do notwaste any time taking steps to protect your identity and credit liability. Here are ten things you should know and do to minimize damage and restore the contents of your wallet.
1. Start by retracing your steps
When and where did you last have your wallet? If you’ve checked there—and frantically torn apart your house, office and car in the process—but still come up empty, don’t panic. Move on to #2.
2. Make a list
Write down everything you had in your wallet. Think about what could have been in there, including:
credit, debit, and ATM cards
·forms of IDs, such as driver’s licenses or military IDs
health insurance cards
car insurance cards
membership cards
blank checks
cash
3. Find important contact information
Go online to find the toll-free phone numbers for all your financial institutions. Add the names and numbers of each card issuer to your list.
4. Call your bank and card issuers within 24 hours
Call your bank and card issuers to report your cards lost or stolen. Most will allow you to order a new card right away and cancel your account if necessary. Do this quickly!
Once you report the loss of a credit, debit, or ATM card, federal law says you cannot be held liable for future unauthorized charges or transfers.
5. File a police report
Report your missing wallet promptly to your local police or sheriff’s department by calling their non-emergency line, which is usually available on their website. They’ll want to know when the wallet was lost or stolen and the contents. Ask for a copy of the report and keep it with your list because it may come in handy later in the event of identity theft.
7. Replace your ID
To replace a lost ID, such as a driver’s license, check your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website to see if you can replace your ID online or if you have to go in-person. If you need to go in person, check what kind of alternate ID you’ll need to bring with you. Once you get a temporary ID or license, carry it with you until the new one arrives in the mail.
8. Replace your Social Security Card
If you lost your Social Security card, you can replace it for free. Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to see if you are eligible to order a replacement online. If you don’t meet the qualifications for replacing online, you can also visit your local SSA office or request a replacement card by mail.
9. Access your money in the meantime
]You’ll have to go into your bank or credit union to withdraw cash until your new card arrives in the mail. You’ll likely need some other form of primary identification; check with your bank for specifics.
10. Take steps to protect your credit
Most importantly, take steps to avoid becoming a victim of credit card fraud. Visit the websites of each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and:
· place a fraud alert
· [YG13] run your credit to look for transactions you did not make
· freeze your credit to keep others from opening fraudulent credit applications in your name
· learn how to monitor for other signs of possible identity theft
6. Keep good records
Start a folder to keep your records in one place. Put your list, police and/or sheriff’s reports, and any correspondence from the above agencies in the folder and keep it in a safe place. Don't forget to write down your dates of communication with each agency.
What if you’re abroad?
1. Replace your passport
If you are overseas and lost your passport along with your wallet, visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, as a replacement passport will be necessary to return home. The U.S. Department of State provides more specific information on its website. Remember that once reported lost or stolen, passports are invalidated.
You can also report your passport stolen by calling the department’s US-based emergency line:
· If you are overseas, call +1 202-501-4444
· If you are in the U.S. or Canada, call 1-888-407-4747
2. Get cash to get home
If you are traveling abroad and using traveler’s checks, contact the issuer for replacements. The U.S. Consulate office will be able to advise you on other options you may have, such as taking out a loan to travel home. Relatives may also be able to send you money internationally through services such as Wise and Western Union. Consider comparing international money transfer providers for speed, foreign currency exchange rate, and transfer costs.
In the meantime, if a good Samaritan returns the lost wallet to you or to law enforcement—or you later find it between the sofa cushions—you will be prepared to take on this hassle the next time panic hits.
pay for their onward travel to the United States. But that’s a different scenario than just needing emergency financial assistance abroad (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/emergency-financial-assistance.html). It seems like the latter is more of the scenario our reader might be experiencing and loans are not mentioned as a provided service.