Imagup General Magazine 2024
Some people make it their life’s work to steal the identity of anyone they can get a hold of. There are real predators out there, and it’s important to take precautions to protect your identity and assets. If you have lost a wallet or have it stolen, it can eat you up with worry.
However, there is no reason to panic. If you simply follow the steps below to ensure your identity and finances are protected, you will not only minimize the chance of having your identity and money but will also save you a world of headache trying to regain your assets. You might also want to consider using a replacement social security card service to assist you through this process as well.
Step 1
The very first thing you want to do is call all of your credit card companies as well as your bank. You will let them know that all of your information has been compromised. They will shut the cards down immediately and issue you new ones. At least now, no one has access to your money, and as soon as the cards arrive, you will have access to yours.
This step should be done immediately. The sooner you report it lost or stolen, the sooner you can restrict the amount of money that may have possibly been stolen. If any money has been taken already, most banks will only make you responsible for a small two-digit amount if anything at all.
Step 2
The next option you have moving forward is to set up national credit bureau alerts for fraud. Thieves will often use other identities to open new credit cards or scam money from lenders. To prevent that from happening, you’d need to contact one of the three main credit bureaus.
By contacting one of the three main credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, you’d be ringing the alarm on the thief, rendering them helpless in the pursuit to get carefree money from your name. Once you have requested a fraud alert be placed on your credit report, the Credit bureau will alert the other two. A fraud alert will last for at least 90 days. After the 90 days, companies that receive new card or loan request associated with your credit report must do their due diligence to ensure that the person asking the request is you.
Step 3
A lost wallet is not a good thing, but a stolen wallet causes a rise for more alarm on the matter. If you have been the victim of a robbery, then it’s important to go to the police. It may seem extreme to do so if the robbery wasn’t some big altercation and instead of a swift swiper, however, if that someone has stolen something from you, they are capable of doing it to someone else. Also, filing a police report will add identity theft protection against predators.
If your identity has actually become compromised, it’s essential to have legal documentation proving that the person accumulating debt in your name is not you. You could use a police report to file an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and then fill out an Identity Theft Affidavit, which issues information to creditors informing them of your ongoing identity theft case.
Step 4
If your Social Security card in the wallet, then it’s essential to start the replacement process immediately, however, this process can be a bit tricky due to the nature of or government system. Government agencies usually only understand the language of legal documentation. The process can also be pricey and lengthy. However, this is a necessary process to recover your identity completely.
The process is difficult due to the burden of having to prove your identity was stolen in the first place and that your social security number was indeed used to steal your identity. You must be really convincing because they don’t easily give out new Social Security numbers.
This is why reporting it to the police is an important step; that report would really help out in this situation. If convinced, they will issue you a new social security number instead of just the new card.
You may also want to consider getting application-filing-service.com to help you get a new one instead of doing it all yourself. A service such as this can help cut down on the lengthy back and forth you may have had to deal with had it not been for that replacement social security card service.
Step 5
Now that you’ve have tried to recover the most important items, try to remember what other personal information might be available to a potential thief. When I say other items, I don’t mean your Starbucks rewards cards, but things like library cards, insurance cards, and gym membership information. This step goes beyond protecting your identity but your well-being due to potential stalkers and predators.
These things easily are replaced and should be as soon as possible, and if possible, this should be reported to these places of business in order to minimize any chance of unwanted visitors if that is a suspected issue.
Step 6
Another important step when something like this occurs is to get a new license or ID card. This won’t necessarily protect your identity now that your ID is gone, but it will ensure you don’t receive any fines or issues with law enforcement due to someone’s crime against you.
Speaking of lost ID cards, thieves are aware of how valuable that information is. It can be used to hack accounts and furthermore, assume your identity. Now that you’ve reported it to the police, it’s important to change all of your passwords and security questions on personal accounts such as email and online backing to ensure they can’t access your funds this way. Also, try to stay away from security passwords and questions relating to your birthday.
It may seem like an impossible nightmare, and if you have ever been a victim of identity theft, it can be worrisome that someone might be able to do it again. Even if all the loose ends are tied up, monitoring your credit information can give you peace of mind and do you a whole lot of good.
To monitor your credit for any suspicious activity, you can order a free credit report online and comb through it carefully. It’s suggested you do this monthly or bi-monthly. Another option is hiring a credit monitoring company or identity protection service to ensure no one can steal from you again.
If you have lost or have had your wallet stolen, don’t panic, follow these steps. Worrying does nothing, but the action does, and the sooner you take action, the less worried you’ll have to be.
