Lost my wallet with social security card

It’s a horrible feeling: You reach for your wallet and find … nothing. Whether the wallet was lost or stolen, you’re now missing cash, credit cards, identification and anything else you keep in there.

To make things even more stressful, it can be a short leap from a stolen wallet to credit card fraud or other forms of identity theft. One Department of Justice report said that of the many identity theft victims who had some idea how their information was obtained, a full 20 percent believe it was lost or stolen from a wallet or checkbook.

But you can help minimize the potential damage when your wallet does go missing, says Paige Schaffer, president and COO of Global Identity & Digital Protection Services at Generali Global Assistance. She recommends keeping the following strategies in your back pocket.

1. Call Your Credit And Debit Card Companies

Do this immediately. Tell them you lost your wallet or that it was stolen, so they can cancel the card and issue you a new one. Start with your debit card, as your level of liability depends on how quickly you call in the incident. With credit cards, if you report the loss before the card is used, you won’t be responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize.

2. Set Up A Fraud Alert

Thieves could use your information to open new credit card accounts or loans; setting a fraud alert with the credit bureaus means that lenders and creditors have to take extra measures to verify your identity. You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus; they’ll notify the other two. And check your credit report a few times a year for fraudulent activity.

3. File A Police Report

Filing a report with the police helps prevent fraud when you’ve lost your wallet. Even if you don’t believe the cops will find the thief, file a report. This creates a paper trail, which can be instrumental in disputing any potential fraud with creditors, credit bureaus and insurance companies. Also let the cops know if you had a spare house key in your wallet. (Consider changing the locks to your home as well.)

4. Change Your Passwords

Losing your wallet could compromise your e-mail, credit card or bank accounts. Choose new, strong passwords to protect your personal information. Be sure to pick new secret questions and answers, too.

5. Call The DMV

Report your missing driver’s license to your local DMV. It’s illegal to drive without one, though some states may allow you to use your driving record as proof of a valid license. Ask what the specific state requirements are to replace the license.

6. Contact Your Insurance Companies

If you’ve lost your wallet, it’s likely your medical insurance card disappeared with it, so report the loss to the insurer. They may or may not issue a new number; either way, check your explanation of benefits summaries regularly for fraudulent usage. Also notify your auto insurance company if you’ve lost your card. However, you can avoid this step by storing your proof of auto insurance digitally—a feature available on the GEICO Mobile app.

Be Proactive

Before your wallet goes missing, some proactive measures can help keep a bad situation from becoming worse, says Schaffer.

• Keep your contact information in your wallet—well-meaning people who find it can’t return your possessions if they don’t know how to reach you.
• Record all the contents in your wallet, including license and credit card numbers (of course, don’t keep the information in your wallet!).
• Purchase identity theft protection before any problems occur. This will monitor your credit and help restore your identity if your wallet does fall into the wrong hands.

Also, do not carry the following in your wallet:

• Your social security card or a list of passwords, which could allow crooks to compromise your identity very quickly.
• More than two credit cards—this will make for more work if you lose your wallet.
• A house key, since your address is on your license and can be discoverable online.

Replacing a wallet is easy; restoring your identity can be much harder. Purchasing identity theft protection through the GEICO Insurance Agency can help. Choose the plan option that fits you best—whether you’re an individual, a couple or a family.

Read more: Keep an eye out for these warning signs of identity theft.

By Jennifer Tzeses

Years ago, while I was at a crowded outdoor market, someone reached into my purse and plucked my credit card and debit card from my wallet. I didn’t even know they were missing until I got home and discovered a message on my answering machine from my card company, alerting me that there had been suspicious activity on my account.

See: 10 Warning Signs That Online Job Offer Is a Money Scam
Learn: How To Get Into the Habit of Saving Money

I quickly canceled my cards, contested the fraudulent charges and recovered — without a financial loss — from the incident. However, I consider myself fortunate. The situation might have been far worse if I’d been carrying other things in my wallet — items that could have created a financial nightmare for me if thieves had gotten their hands on them.

Although large data breaches like the recent one at credit reporting agency Equifax tend to grab headlines, more than 40 percent of identity fraud cases stem from a stolen or lost wallet or purse, according to claim data from insurance company Travelers. So, if you’re carrying around these things in your wallet, you’re likely putting your identity and finances at risk — learn how to protect yourself.

Related: 18 Online Shopping Traps and Money Scams To Watch Out For

The No. 1 thing you should never carry in your wallet is your Social Security card.

“Your Social Security number is the most vital piece of information for identity thieves, and the damage resulting from identity theft can impact your finances for years to come,” said Michael Bruemmer, vice president of consumer protection at Experian.

If someone gets your number, he or she can use it to apply for credit in your name, file a tax return and claim a refund or get a job and earn income that’s reported to the IRS — which will create problems for you at tax time, according to the Social Security Administration. For these reasons, Bruemmer says that losing a Social Security card can be devastating. It takes a lot of hard work for tax scam victims to clear their names with the IRS.

While you can get a new Social Security number, you must have evidence that someone is using your current one. However, some government agencies and businesses, such as banks, might still associate you with the old number — even after you make the switch.

See: Things To Cut Out Right Now To Save Money During the Health Crisis

2. Birth Certificate or Passport

When you go out, it’s best to leave your birth certificate and passport at home.

“Like your Social Security number, these items contain some vital, personally identifiable information, and losing these will make it all too easy for thieves to steal your identity,” Bruemmer said.

Unfortunately, more than half of travelers surveyed by Experian said they carry their passports in their wallets. If you’re traveling overseas, opt to leave your passport locked up in the hotel safe rather than keeping it with you while you’re out on the town and risk getting scammed by clever thieves.

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3. Extra Credit Cards

A survey by Experian’s ProtectMyID identity service found that 47% of consumers don’t remove unnecessary credit cards from their wallets before traveling. Carrying numerous cards doesn’t just put you at risk on vacation, though. It’s also a dangerous habit the rest of the year.

“If your wallet is stolen and you have eight credit cards in it, that means you will have to cancel eight credit cards, dispute with eight different card companies if fraud does occur, as well as reset any autopay you had for those eight cards,” Bruemmer said. “The more cards you carry, the more opportunities you are giving a thief to steal your money or information, and the more work you are putting on yourself to reestablish accounts after a theft.”

Bruemmer recommends carrying only your main credit card and perhaps a backup one. Only carry retailer cards in your wallet when you are headed to those specific stores, he said. And make sure you have a record of your credit card account numbers and contact information for each card issuer stored at home, in case a card is stolen.

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4. PINs and Passwords

Some people write down their debit card PIN and passwords for accounts in case they forget them and carry them in their wallets, Bruemmer said. However, this information should always be left at home in a secure place.

“If someone has access to your bank PIN or financial account passwords, they can easily steal money from your accounts or make purchases under your name,” Bruemmer said. Take steps to protect yourself against credit card fraud.

Unfortunately, this rule is one that consumers regularly break. According to another Experian survey, 25% of people have shared credit card numbers or PINs with friends and family.

More: How To Avoid Being Scammed After a Natural Disaster

5. Checks

If you prefer writing checks to using a debit card, avoid carrying your entire checkbook around with you, Bruemmer said. Otherwise, thieves have easy access to your money in the event that your purse or wallet is stolen.

Checking account fraud can be especially difficult to resolve, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. You should report your stolen checkbook to the police and keep a copy of the report to submit to any merchants or financial institutions at which your stolen checks were used.

Unfortunately, putting a stop payment on the checks that were stolen probably won’t be enough to fix the problem. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, you’ll likely need to close your account to prevent further damage.

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Last updated: Oct. 6, 2021

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security Card and 4 Other Things You Should Never Keep in Your Wallet

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