Lost Wallet, Stolen Phone or Compromised Account: What Should You Do?
Lost Wallet or Stolen Phone? Your ID Theft Protection Checklist
A lost wallet, stolen phone or compromised online account can create identity-theft risks. Learn what to do immediately, including securing accounts, contacting financial institutions, changing passwords, replacing identification, monitoring credit and documenting the incident. Discover how identity-recovery and lost-wallet assistance available through some ID protection plans can provide additional support during a stressful situation.
What should I do if I lose my wallet?
Act quickly. Contact your credit-card companies and financial institutions, report lost identification as appropriate, and review your accounts for unauthorized activity.
Should I cancel my credit cards?
If a card is lost or stolen, contact the issuer immediately and follow its instructions.
The issuer can explain whether the card should be blocked, replaced, or otherwise secured.
What if my Social Security card was in my wallet?
Take steps to protect your identity and watch for suspicious activity. If you believe your Social Security number is being misused, use official government resources and IdentityTheft.gov for guidance.
What if my driver's license was stolen?
Report the loss according to your state's requirements and follow instructions for replacement. Keep documentation of the report.
Can a lost wallet lead to identity theft?
Yes. A wallet may contain multiple pieces of information that can be combined by criminals.
What if my phone is stolen?
Immediately secure the device through your wireless provider and device-management tools. Change important passwords, particularly for email, banking, and financial applications.
Why is my email account especially important?
Email accounts can be used to reset passwords for other services. If an email account is compromised, securing it should be a high priority.
Does ID protection include lost-wallet assistance?
Some plans do. Our ID protection plans offer lost-wallet assistance among its features.
Should I monitor my credit after losing personal information?
Yes. Review your credit reports and watch for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. The FTC recommends checking credit reports to help identify potential identity theft.
Should I document the incident?
Yes. Write down when the wallet, phone, or information went missing, what was contained in it, whom you contacted, and what actions were taken.
Comments