On May 10, 2010 my wallet was stolen from a locker at the local YMCA. The person who stole it actually cut my lock. What to do if this happens to you:
1. Called my bank –cancelled my Debit Card
I also asked if there were any fraudulent /recent transactions made. This was originally to make sure I didn’t leave my wallet in my truck or at home by accident. When the bank told me yes, I asked where the transactions took place. The information given to me by the bank got my brain stirring.
-Write down the claims number
-Get the phone number to the banks claims department
2. Filled out a report at the establishment where the crime took place.
-Insist that the person behind the desk make a report. At first they told me that they (YMCA) do not have a policy in place for this type of thing. I called bullshit and made the front desk person write the incident down.
-Ask a person working at the place of the crime about the people at the establishment. In my case the perp. bought MTS passes. So I immediately asked if any of their members took the bus to and from the YMCA. The answer was…Yes.
-Keep a close record of the time.
3. Call and cancel all your credit cards
-Ask if any fraudulent /recent transaction were made
-If there are fraudulent /recent, let the person at the CC company know why you are on the phone.
-Write down the claims number
-Get the phone number to the banks claims department
4. Call the police and fill out a report. This will usually take place over the phone.
-Write down the name of the officer taking down the report
-Write down the case number. You will need that later.
5. Call Social Security Office
-Identity fraud is a growing problem, this will help protect your credit should something happen.
6. Call the Trade Commission1-877-438-4338
-Write down the reference number
7. Call all (3) credit reporting companies
-Transunion: 800-680-7289
-Equifax: 888-766-0008
-Experian: 888-397-3742
8. Get new Driver license
9. Keep written records of all conversations.
10. If a detective calls you, give them all the info you have collected. It will help your case. Even if the detective isn’t interested in pursuing the case, the more info you give them and the less they have to do could make a difference.
Here are the steps I took to keep the perp. from charging up my credit
cards:
After the bank confirmed my Debit Card had been used. I went to the front desk of the YMCA and asked if any of the members who were there that afternoon took the bus to and from the YMCA. They said yes. They also told me that person seemed very nervous and suspicious. I reported this conversation to the police during the report.
I called the MTS to see if the had a lost and found. While on the phone I asked if they could trace my transitions, they patched me over to someone who could. MTS was able to find my Credit Card info in their computer and they were able to shut down the passes the perp. bought. They also can pinpoint the times and machine the ticket were bought at. This info is useful to the detective on the case, because most of there ticket areas have video cameras. A timeline and video may keep the detective interested in pursuing the case.
When MTS cancelled the tickets they also post a fraud alert to those tickets. When the perp. of his buddies tries to use these tickets, MTS security will immediately be called. After that who knows, maybe we will all be safer with one more perp. off the streets.
This incodent is very stressful. Knowing that someone else can totally wipe out your accounts and mess you credit history up, is stressful. It is a true headache that I wish never happens to anyone.
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