What if your wallet is stolen

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Table of Contents Expand. Table of Contents. Contact Your Bank. Contact Your Credit Card Companies. File a Police Report. Request a Fraud Alert. Get a New Driver's License. Call Other Card Issuers. Change Your Locks. Call Your Lawyer. Use a Credit Monitoring Service. Jake is the owner of Slight Edge Group, an identity theft education organization.

Learn about our editorial policies. Reviewed by Margaret James. Article Reviewed March 27, Peggy James is an expert in accounting, corporate finance, and personal finance. She is a certified public accountant who owns her own accounting firm, where she serves small businesses, nonprofits, solopreneurs, freelancers, and individuals. Learn about our Financial Review Board. The Bottom Line Losing your wallet or your purse is annoying at best and detrimental at worst. Article Sources.

Choose new, strong passwords to protect your personal information. Be sure to pick new secret questions and answers, too. Ask what the specific state requirements are to replace the license.

They may or may not issue a new number; either way, check your explanation of benefits summaries regularly for fraudulent usage. However, you can avoid this step by storing your proof of auto insurance digitally—a feature available on the GEICO Mobile app.

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

Change automatic payments iStock. Call your local transport authority iStock. Ask for help iStock. Be prepared for the worst iStock. Never miss a deal again - sign up now! By doing due diligence immediately after your wallet is stolen, you can protect yourself from even more hardship down the road. Only deposit products are FDIC insured. The information provided is not intended to be legal, tax, or financial advice or recommendations for any specific individual, business, or circumstance.

TowneBank cannot guarantee that it is accurate, up to date, or appropriate for your situation. Financial calculators are provided for illustrative purposes only.

You are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney or financial advisor to understand how the law applies to your particular circumstances or for financial information specific to your personal or business situation.

First, file a police report. If any crimes are committed in your name, having a police report on file can establish your innocence.